49082 Abdominal paracentesis
Also known as: Paracentesis, abdominal tap, diagnostic tap, ascites drainage
Percutaneous needle puncture of the abdominal cavity (paracentesis) to obtain peritoneal fluid for analysis or assessment of intra-abdominal pathology.
In Plain Language
Needle drainage of fluid from abdomen
Clinical Context
Diagnostic procedure for ascites evaluation, suspected peritonitis, or spontaneous bacterial peritonitis diagnosis in cirrhosis.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 1.21 |
| Total RVU | 1.21 |
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 1.21, this code ranks in the 6th percentile among Surgery codes — 6.6x below the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 49082?
CPT 49082 (Abdominal paracentesis) is a Surgery code. Percutaneous needle puncture of the abdominal cavity (paracentesis) to obtain peritoneal fluid for analysis or assessment of intra-abdominal pathology.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 49082?
The work RVU for CPT 49082 is 1.21. This code is primarily used by General Surgery, Hepatology, Internal Medicine.
When is CPT 49082 used?
Diagnostic procedure for ascites evaluation, suspected peritonitis, or spontaneous bacterial peritonitis diagnosis in cirrhosis.
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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.