CPT code 44143: Partial colectomy, end colostomy, closed distal segment2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in California

CMS doesn’t publish an office rate for 44143 in California.

Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.

What 44143 covers

The surgeon removes a diseased portion of colon, brings the upstream bowel through the abdominal wall as an end colostomy, and closes the downstream bowel segment inside the abdomen. This open operation is commonly performed for sigmoid disease, such as perforated diverticulitis or an obstructing lesion, when the surgeon does not create an immediate bowel reconnection. General and colorectal surgeons typically perform it in a hospital operating room.

Select this code when the operative report supports partial colectomy, end colostomy, and closure of the distal segment; a colostomy alone or a resection with another reconstruction is not enough. The record should identify the resection and the resulting bowel configuration. The 90-day global period includes the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care. When multiple procedures occur in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the standard reduction. Modifier 50 is inappropriate for this procedure. Assistant-at-surgery services may be paid; co-surgeon payment requires supporting documentation, and team surgery is not permitted.

This summary was written with AI assistance from CMS physician fee schedule data and checked against the CMS billing rules shown here. Rates on this page come directly from CMS files.

Where 44143 pays more and less in California

The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.

29 of 29 payment localities

How the 44143 rate is calculated

Each of 44143’s three RVUs is multiplied by a geographic index (GPCI) for the payment locality, added up, and multiplied by the conversion factor. Drag the indexes or enter a ZIP to see what moves the rate.

Payment rules and modifiers for 44143

44143 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

What modifiers do to the payment

When to use modifier 51

44143 compared with similar codes

How to choose

44140Partial colectomyWith anastomosis

44140 describes partial colectomy with an anastomosis. Choose 44143 when the surgeon instead creates an end colostomy and closes the distal segment.

44141Partial colectomyWith skin-level bowel stoma

44141 involves a skin-level cecostomy or colostomy. 44143 involves an end colostomy with closure of the distal bowel segment.

44144Partial colectomyColostomy with distal closure

44144 includes creation of a mucous fistula with the stoma. 44143 describes an end colostomy with the distal segment closed.

44150Total colectomyRectum retained; ileostomy or ileoproctostomy

44150 is for removal of the colon, not the partial colectomy described by 44143.

Codes related to 44143

Related codes aren’t interchangeable: bill the code that matches the service performed.

Where these rates come from

FeeBase calculates base physician payments from CMS work, practice-expense and malpractice RVUs, adjusted by each locality’s geographic indexes and the conversion factor. Services without a published rate are labeled, never given a made-up amount. Amounts are Medicare allowed amounts before claim adjustments: not a patient’s bill or a commercial rate.

CMS RVU26D · effective Oct 1, 2026 through the day before Jan 1, 2027

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates