CPT code 44205: Colectomy, terminal ileum with ileocolostomy2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in California

CMS doesn’t publish an office rate for 44205 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 44205 covers

This code describes laparoscopic resection of part of the colon that also removes the terminal ileum, followed by joining the remaining small bowel to the colon. It commonly represents a right-sided resection for colon cancer, Crohn disease, or another condition affecting the ileocecal region. A colorectal or general surgeon typically performs the operation in a hospital or other surgical facility. The operative report should establish the laparoscopic approach, the bowel removed, and the reconstruction performed.

Report this code when the documented resection includes terminal ileum and the ileocolic connection; a partial colectomy with a different reconstruction may fall under a neighboring code. CMS assigns a 90-day major-surgery global period, including the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care. For multiple procedures in one session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and others at 50%. Modifier 50 is inappropriate. An assistant at surgery may be paid; co-surgeons require 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 44205 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 44205 rate is calculated

Each of 44205’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 44205

44205 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

44205 compared with similar codes

How to choose

44204Partial colectomyLaparoscopic with anastomosis

44205 includes terminal ileum removal and an ileocolic connection. Choose 44204 when the colectomy has a different anastomosis and does not match that anatomy.

44206Partial colectomyEnd colostomy, closed distal segment

44206 describes a partial colectomy with a stoma. This code is for the resection with ileocolic reconstruction, not the stoma configuration.

44160ColectomyTerminal ileum resected

44160 describes the corresponding open operation. Use 44205 for the laparoscopic approach when its terminal-ileum and ileocolic-reconstruction details are met.

Codes related to 44205

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