49427 Injection abdominal shunt
Also known as: shunt injection, shunt patency test, contrast shunt study
Injection of contrast or sclerosing agent into peritoneovenous shunt for testing patency and function.
In Plain Language
dye injection into shunt tube; testing of shunt function
Clinical Context
Percutaneous injection into peritoneovenous shunt to assess patency, function, and identify malfunction or obstruction.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 0.87 |
| Total RVU | 0.87 |
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 0.87, this code ranks in the 3rd percentile among Surgery codes — 9.2x below the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 49427?
CPT 49427 (Injection abdominal shunt) is a Surgery code. Injection of contrast or sclerosing agent into peritoneovenous shunt for testing patency and function.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 49427?
The work RVU for CPT 49427 is 0.87. This code is primarily used by General Surgery, Interventional Radiology.
When is CPT 49427 used?
Percutaneous injection into peritoneovenous shunt to assess patency, function, and identify malfunction or obstruction.
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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.