47556 Biliary endoscopy thru skin
Also known as: Percutaneous cholangioscopic stent placement, POCS stent
Percutaneous endoscopy of the biliary tree with placement or manipulation of a percutaneous biliary stent to maintain ductal patency.
In Plain Language
Placing a tube in bile ducts using scope through skin
Clinical Context
Performed to confirm optimal stent position, exchange stents, or manage stent complications. Direct visualization improves stent placement accuracy.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 8.34 |
| Total RVU | 8.34 |
Est. Medicare Payment
National estimate based on 2026 CMS PFS Conversion Factor ($33.40). Actual payment varies by locality (GPCI adjustment).
Billing & Documentation
As a surgical CPT code, proper documentation must include the operative report detailing the procedure performed, patient positioning, approach, findings, and any complications. This code has a 0-day global period, meaning pre- and post-operative E&M visits are billable separately on the same day. Ensure the diagnosis code (ICD-10) supports medical necessity for the procedure.
How This Code Compares
With a work RVU of 8.34, this code ranks in the 52nd percentile among Surgery codes — 1.0x the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 47556?
CPT 47556 (Biliary endoscopy thru skin) is a Surgery code. Percutaneous endoscopy of the biliary tree with placement or manipulation of a percutaneous biliary stent to maintain ductal patency.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 47556?
The work RVU for CPT 47556 is 8.34. This code is primarily used by Interventional Radiology, Hepatobiliary Surgery.
When is CPT 47556 used?
Performed to confirm optimal stent position, exchange stents, or manage stent complications. Direct visualization improves stent placement accuracy.
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CPT® is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association. Data sourced from CMS Physician Fee Schedule RVU26A. Descriptions, synonyms, and clinical context are original content by RVU Edge.