49440 Place gastrostomy tube percutaneous
Also known as: percutaneous gastrostomy, PEG tube, G-tube placement
Placement of gastrostomy tube via percutaneous approach under imaging guidance for enteral nutrition.
In Plain Language
placement of feeding tube through stomach wall; temporary or permanent stomach feeding tube
Clinical Context
Percutaneous placement of gastrostomy tube for long-term enteral nutrition. Common indications include dysphagia, neurological disease, or need for nutritional support.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 3.83 |
| Total RVU | 3.83 |
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 10-day global period — follow-up visits within 10 days of the procedure are included in the reimbursement. Ensure the diagnosis code (ICD-10) supports medical necessity for the procedure.
How This Code Compares
With a work RVU of 3.83, this code ranks in the 26th 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 49440?
CPT 49440 (Place gastrostomy tube percutaneous) is a Surgery code. Placement of gastrostomy tube via percutaneous approach under imaging guidance for enteral nutrition.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 49440?
The work RVU for CPT 49440 is 3.83. This code is primarily used by Gastroenterology, General Surgery, Interventional Radiology. It has a 10-day global period.
When is CPT 49440 used?
Percutaneous placement of gastrostomy tube for long-term enteral nutrition. Common indications include dysphagia, neurological disease, or need for nutritional support.
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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.