CPT
43239 — Upper GI endoscopy with biopsy
High-volume procedure with predictable surprise-bill risk.
Surgery & procedures
47600 — Cholecystectomy
This code covers the surgical removal of the gallbladder through a traditional open incision in the abdomen, rather than laparoscopically.
- Typical setting: Hospital OR, ASC
- National avg charge (illustrative): $800-$1,800 Medicare allowed for surgeon professional fee (total hospital charges: $15,000-$35,000+)
- Most-disputed reason: Wrong approach code: billing 47600 (open) instead of 47562 (laparoscopic) — the surgical approach must match the operative report
What it means
What 47600 actually means
This code covers the surgical removal of the gallbladder through a traditional open incision in the abdomen, rather than laparoscopically. Open cholecystectomy is less common today and is usually reserved for complex cases such as severe inflammation, adhesions, or when laparoscopic surgery cannot be safely completed. The 90-day global period means most follow-up visits are included in the fee.
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).
- Wrong approach code: billing 47600 (open) instead of 47562 (laparoscopic) — the surgical approach must match the operative report
- Unbundling exploration and cholecystectomy: separately billing a laparotomy code alongside 47600 when the open exploration is inherent to the cholecystectomy
- Global period violations: billing separately for routine post-operative office visits within the 90-day global period without appending modifier -24 to document an unrelated condition
If you see 47600 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 47600 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.
Related BillBusted guides
Plain-English reads if you see 47600 on a bill.
47600 FAQ
Plain-English answers.
What does 47600 usually cost?
$800-$1,800 Medicare allowed for surgeon professional fee (total hospital charges: $15,000-$35,000+). 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 47600?
Wrong approach code: billing 47600 (open) instead of 47562 (laparoscopic) — the surgical approach must match the operative report
What should I do if I see 47600 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 47600 before paying.
Don't pay 47600 blindly.
The free scan tells you in under 60 seconds whether this charge looks reasonable for your situation.