CPT 44005
Global 090 ActiveFreeing of bowel adhesion
CPT 44005 Billing & Documentation Guide
CPT code 44005 (Freeing of bowel adhesion) is classified under Surgery (Digestive) with a global period indicator of 090. The 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule assigns a work RVU of 18, a non-facility practice expense RVU of 8.01, and a malpractice RVU of 4.54, a total non-facility RVU of 30.55 and facility RVU of 30.55. With the current conversion factor of $33.4009, the national average non-facility reimbursement is approximately $1022.51, though rates vary from $904.23 to $1270.31 based on MAC locality and Geographic Practice Cost Indices (GPCIs).
When billing 44005, ensure documentation supports medical necessity and the specific components required for the code's level of service. For E/M codes, document MDM (medical decision-making) elements: problems addressed, data reviewed, and risk. For procedural codes, document the indication, technique, and any complications. Always verify NCCI edits before bundling 44005 with related codes; this code has 10 PTP bundling relationships on file (see table below).
Payment Status & Global Period
Active code (paid under MPFS)
90-day global period (major surgery: 1 day pre-op + procedure + 90 days post-op)
MUE Limit (Medically Unlikely Edits)
Submitting more than 1 units of 44005 for the same patient on the same date triggers automatic line denial unless an appropriate modifier and supporting documentation justify the higher quantity.
RVU Breakdown, CPT 44005
| Component | Non-Facility | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Work RVU | 18 | 18 |
| Practice Expense RVU | 8.01 | 8.01 |
| Malpractice RVU | 4.54 | 4.54 |
| Total RVU | 30.55 | 30.55 |
| Conversion Factor | $33.4009 | |
2026 Medicare Reimbursement by State, CPT 44005
State-level averages across all MAC localities. Non-facility rates typically apply to office-based services; facility rates apply to hospital outpatient / inpatient.
| State | Non-Facility | Facility | Range (Non-Fac) | Localities |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $1021.57 | $1021.57 | $985.94 - $1134.42 | 29 |
| Florida | $1164.84 | $1164.84 | $1084.9 - $1263.22 | 3 |
| Georgia | $1038.79 | $1038.79 | $1020.62 - $1056.96 | 2 |
| Illinois | $1151.62 | $1151.62 | $1082.49 - $1222.32 | 4 |
| Michigan | $1065.87 | $1065.87 | $1016.68 - $1115.06 | 2 |
| North Carolina | $947.73 | $947.73 | $947.73 - $947.73 | 1 |
| New York | $1134.35 | $1134.35 | $961.98 - $1239.4 | 5 |
| Ohio | $998.33 | $998.33 | $998.33 - $998.33 | 1 |
| Pennsylvania | $1030.79 | $1030.79 | $990.12 - $1071.46 | 2 |
| Texas | $1008.77 | $1008.77 | $985.55 - $1080.35 | 8 |
Source: CMS PFSRVU 2026 · Updated 2026-04-01. Full locality-level detail available for all 53 states, contact us for custom reports.
NCCI Bundling Edits, CPT 44005
Procedure-to-procedure (PTP) edits. If you bill any of these codes with 44005 on the same date of service, review the modifier indicator and payer policy before submission.
| Partner Code | Relationship | Modifier Allowed | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0213T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | No | Misuse of Column Two code with Column One code |
| 0216T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | No | Misuse of Column Two code with Column One code |
| 0228T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | No | Standards of medical/surgical practice |
| 0230T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | No | Standards of medical/surgical practice |
| 0596T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | Yes | Standards of medical/surgical practice |
| 0597T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | Yes | Standards of medical/surgical practice |
| 0666T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | No | Misuse of Column Two code with Column One code |
| 0708T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | Yes | Standards of medical/surgical practice |
| 0709T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | Yes | Standards of medical/surgical practice |
| 0903T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | Yes | CPT Separate procedure definition |
Frequently Asked Questions, CPT 44005
What does CPT code 44005 mean? +
CPT code 44005 represents: Freeing of bowel adhesion. It's in the Surgery (Digestive) category with a global period of 090.
What is the Medicare reimbursement for CPT 44005? +
The 2026 Medicare national average non-facility payment for CPT 44005 is $1022.51. Rates range from $904.23 to $1270.31 across 53 states depending on MAC locality and GPCIs.
What modifiers can I use with CPT 44005? +
Surgery codes commonly use modifier 22 (increased procedural services), 50 (bilateral), 51 (multiple procedures), 52 (reduced services), 58/78/79 (staged, unplanned return, unrelated within global), 62 (co-surgeons), 80/82 (assistant surgeon), and 59 or the X{EPSU} subset for distinct procedural service.
What bundling edits apply to CPT 44005? +
This code has 10 NCCI PTP bundling relationships. See the NCCI Bundling section below for full list.
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Reviewed by the PayerReady Medical Coding Team
Verified against the CMS 2026 code set on April 17, 2026.
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