49423 Exchange drainage catheter
Also known as: catheter exchange, drain replacement, percutaneous exchange
Percutaneous exchange or replacement of drainage catheter in established abdominal tract.
In Plain Language
replacement of abdominal drain; catheter swap procedure
Clinical Context
Percutaneous exchange of catheter in established tract for continued drainage of intra-abdominal collections. Used to prevent infection and maintain drainage continuity.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 1.42 |
| Total RVU | 1.42 |
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 1.42, this code ranks in the 8th percentile among Surgery codes — 5.6x below the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 49423?
CPT 49423 (Exchange drainage catheter) is a Surgery code. Percutaneous exchange or replacement of drainage catheter in established abdominal tract.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 49423?
The work RVU for CPT 49423 is 1.42. This code is primarily used by Interventional Radiology, General Surgery.
When is CPT 49423 used?
Percutaneous exchange of catheter in established tract for continued drainage of intra-abdominal collections. Used to prevent infection and maintain drainage continuity.
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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.