CPT
43239 — Upper GI endoscopy with biopsy
High-volume procedure with predictable surprise-bill risk.
Surgery & procedures
44970 — Laparoscopic appendectomy
This code covers the removal of the appendix using a laparoscopic (minimally invasive) technique with small incisions and a camera.
- Typical setting: Hospital OR, ASC
- National avg charge (illustrative): $700-$1,400 Medicare allowed for surgeon professional fee (total hospital charges: $10,000-$25,000+)
- Most-disputed reason: Open vs. laparoscopic confusion: billing 44970 (laparoscopic) when the procedure was converted to open (44950) without documenting the conversion and using the appropriate code
What it means
What 44970 actually means
This code covers the removal of the appendix using a laparoscopic (minimally invasive) technique with small incisions and a camera. Laparoscopic appendectomy is now the standard approach for most appendectomy cases and typically results in faster recovery than open surgery. It carries a 90-day global period.
Common errors with this code
What goes wrong on real bills.
Most bills that look correct still contain at least one of these issues. Up to 49% of medical bills contain errors (CFPB).
- Open vs. laparoscopic confusion: billing 44970 (laparoscopic) when the procedure was converted to open (44950) without documenting the conversion and using the appropriate code
- Incidental appendectomy billing: billing 44970 when the appendix was incidentally removed during another abdominal procedure without adequate medical necessity documentation
- Unbundling post-operative care: charging separately for routine follow-up within the 90-day global period
If you see 44970 on your bill
Three steps before paying.
1. Get the itemized bill. If your statement only shows a summary, request the CPT-level itemized bill before paying. Generate the request language →
2. Cross-check against the EOB. Compare what your insurer's Explanation of Benefits says you owe versus what the hospital is asking. They disagree more often than people think. Read the bill-vs-EOB guide →
3. Run a free Bill Scan. Upload the bill (and EOB if you have it) and BillBusted will flag the most likely issues with this specific code in your specific state. Run free scan →
Related codes
Other codes in this category.
People who land on 44970 often also see these adjacent codes on the same bill.
CPT
43644 — Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass with small intestine reconstruction
Verify the code matches the actual service and dose.
CPT
45378 — Diagnostic colonoscopy
If your screening colonoscopy turned diagnostic, federal rules limit your cost-share.
CPT
45380 — Colonoscopy, flexible, with biopsy, single or multiple
Verify the code matches the actual service and dose.
CPT
45385 — Colonoscopy, flexible, with removal of tumor/polyp/lesion by snare technique
Verify the code matches the actual service and dose.
Related BillBusted guides
Plain-English reads if you see 44970 on a bill.
44970 FAQ
Plain-English answers.
What does 44970 usually cost?
$700-$1,400 Medicare allowed for surgeon professional fee (total hospital charges: $10,000-$25,000+). Costs vary by region, payer contract, and whether the service was performed in a hospital outpatient department (which adds a facility fee) versus a free-standing clinic.
What's the most common billing error on 44970?
Open vs. laparoscopic confusion: billing 44970 (laparoscopic) when the procedure was converted to open (44950) without documenting the conversion and using the appropriate code
What should I do if I see 44970 on my bill?
Request the itemized bill and the matching EOB from your insurer. Compare the units/quantity billed against what you actually received. Run a free BillBusted scan to flag the most likely errors specific to 44970 before paying.
Don't pay 44970 blindly.
The free scan tells you in under 60 seconds whether this charge looks reasonable for your situation.