49406 Image catheter fluid peri-procedural/retro
Also known as: image-guided catheter placement, percutaneous drain, peritoneal drainage
Image-guided percutaneous catheter placement in peritoneal or retroperitoneal fluid collection for drainage.
In Plain Language
needle placement in abdominal pocket under imaging; drain insertion for peritoneal fluid
Clinical Context
Percutaneous catheter placement under imaging guidance for drainage of peritoneal or retroperitoneal fluid collections. Common indications are ascites, infected fluid, or postoperative collections.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 3.90 |
| Total RVU | 3.90 |
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 3.90, this code ranks in the 27th percentile among Surgery codes — 2.1x below the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 49406?
CPT 49406 (Image catheter fluid peri-procedural/retro) is a Surgery code. Image-guided percutaneous catheter placement in peritoneal or retroperitoneal fluid collection for drainage.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 49406?
The work RVU for CPT 49406 is 3.90. This code is primarily used by Interventional Radiology, General Surgery.
When is CPT 49406 used?
Percutaneous catheter placement under imaging guidance for drainage of peritoneal or retroperitoneal fluid collections. Common indications are ascites, infected fluid, or postoperative collections.
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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.