CPT code 44155: Colectomy, with proctectomy and ileostomy2026 Medicare rate & RVUs

Medicare pays $1,920.22 for 44155 nationally in a facility.

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

What 44155 covers

This code describes an abdominal operation removing the colon and rectum and creating an ileostomy, rather than connecting the remaining small bowel to the anus. Colorectal or general surgeons may perform it in a hospital for conditions such as severe ulcerative colitis, familial adenomatous polyposis, or colorectal disease requiring removal of both organs. The ileostomy provides the route for intestinal waste after the resection.

Report the code when the operative record supports total colectomy, proctectomy, and ileostomy creation as part of the same operation. Documentation should identify the organs removed and the reconstruction performed; an ileoanal anastomosis or pouch points to a different code. Medicare assigns a 90-day global period, including the day-before preoperative visit and related postoperative care during that period. When multiple procedures occur in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the standard 50% reduction. An assistant at surgery may be paid; co-surgeon payment requires supporting documentation. 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 44155 pays more and less

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

109 of 109 payment localities

44155 rates by state

Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.

How the 44155 rate is calculated

Each of 44155’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 44155

44155 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

44155 compared with similar codes

How to choose

44150Total colectomyRectum retained; ileostomy or ileoproctostomy

44150 includes total colectomy with ileostomy or ileoproctostomy without proctectomy. Choose 44155 when the rectum is also removed and an ileostomy is created.

44151Total colectomyContinent ileostomy

44151 is total colectomy without proctectomy with a continent ileostomy. 44155 includes proctectomy and describes an ileostomy rather than a continent reservoir.

44156ColectomyProctectomy, continent ileostomy

44156 includes an ileoanal anastomosis after total colectomy and proctectomy. 44155 describes ileostomy creation instead of ileoanal continuity.

44157ProctocolectomyDirect ileoanal anastomosis

44157 includes ileoanal reconstruction with a J-pouch. 44155 is the choice when the operation creates an ileostomy rather than that pouch reconstruction.

Codes related to 44155

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