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CPT code 44389: Colonoscopy, through stoma, with biopsy2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Delaware

Reports examination of the colon through a stoma when the endoscopist takes one or more tissue samples during the procedure.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality2.5K Medicare services in 2024

In Delaware, Medicare pays $452.58 for 44389 in the office and $152.28 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$452.58Office (non-facility)
$152.28Hospital or facility
−1.1%vs the national office rate ($457.59)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 44389 nationwide

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

We’ll open 44389 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Delaware
  2. What 44389 covers
  3. Compared with other areas
  4. Rate map
  5. How it’s calculated
  6. Payment rules
  7. Related codes
  8. Rate history
  9. Where it applies
  10. Billing questions
  11. Sources

What 44389 covers

Code 44389 describes endoscopic examination of the colon through an existing stoma, with tissue sampling during the procedure. A gastroenterologist or colorectal surgeon may use it to evaluate abnormal mucosa, a suspected neoplasm, or another finding in a patient with a colostomy. The access route is the stoma; a colonoscopy performed through the anus belongs to a different code family.

Report the service when the procedure note documents access through the stoma, the examination performed, and the biopsy site or sites. The code includes the colonoscopy and biopsy, whether one or multiple samples are taken; do not count biopsy sites as separate units. If the endoscopist removes a lesion or treats bleeding, select the code describing that intervention. This minor procedure has a 0-day global period, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included. CMS endoscopy-family pricing applies when related endoscopies are performed together. Modifier 50 is inappropriate for this single examination. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery, and co-surgeons and team surgery are 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.

How Delaware compares for 44389

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 44389 runs from $402.32 in Arkansas to $615.14 in San Benito County, CA. Delaware pays $452.58. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

44389 in Delaware vs other payment areas
  1. Delaware · this page$452.58
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$520.45+$67.87
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$526.00+$73.42
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$492.21+$39.63
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$477.31+$24.73
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$527.76+$75.18
  7. Alaska · Alaska$523.19+$70.61

Other areas in Delaware first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.

Every other payment area

44389 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$408.54$142.59
ArkansasArkansas$402.32$141.23
ArizonaArizona$444.94$150.42
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$487.45$154.33
Chico, CACalifornia$486.28$153.15
El Centro, CACalifornia$486.35$153.22
Fresno, CACalifornia$486.28$153.15
Hanford, CACalifornia$486.28$153.15

44389 rates by state

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

MEWIVTNHMTNDMNMINYMARIWAIDWYSDIAILINOHPANJCTORNVUTCONEMOKYWVVAMDDECAAZNMKSOKARTNNCSCDCTXLAMSALGAFLAKHI

Explore a state

Local rates. Clear comparisons.

Hover or focus a tile to see its rate range. Select it to open the state’s fee schedule.

$402.32

$550.71

Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.

View every state and territory as a table
44389 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$523.191
AL$408.541
AR$402.321
AZ$444.941
CA$486.28–$615.1429
CO$477.991
CT$489.011
DC$526.001
DE$452.581
FL$449.09–$492.213
GA$422.79–$466.112
GU$499.371
HI$499.371
IA$420.121
ID$422.871
IL$435.01–$477.944
IN$425.461
KS$417.751
KY$418.051
LA$417.24–$438.992
MA$474.79–$527.282
MD$461.63–$526.003
ME$424.86–$449.552
MI$429.21–$454.652
MN$458.221
MO$409.49–$441.013
MS$406.011
MT$457.571
NC$429.591
ND$449.661
NE$422.641
NH$470.111
NJ$494.65–$520.052
NM$431.561
NV$455.711
NY$436.32–$540.735
OH$427.591
OK$417.591
OR$452.24–$494.152
PA$428.48–$476.132
PR$461.201
RI$469.431
SC$429.291
SD$448.721
TN$419.921
TX$425.50–$476.348
UT$435.471
VA$447.78–$526.002
VI$461.201
VT$447.531
WA$474.02–$538.612
WI$433.811
WV$418.021
WY$454.121

See 44389 in every payment locality

How the 44389 rate is calculated

Each of 44389’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.

How the rate is built · 44389

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work2.94

2.94 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense10.36

10.36 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.40

0.40 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

13.7000

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$457.59

Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.

The exact Delaware inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

5,411

Code
44389
Physician work
2.94
Practice expense
10.36
Malpractice
0.40

GPCI2026.csv

40

Locality
Delaware
Physician work
1.005
Practice expense
0.988
Malpractice
0.899
Office calculation for 44389 in Delaware
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work2.94× 1.0052.9547
Practice expense10.36× 0.98810.2357
Malpractice0.40× 0.8990.3596
Total RVUs13.5500
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Delaware$452.58

Office: (2.94 × 1.005 + 10.36 × 0.988 + 0.4 × 0.899) × $33.4009 = $452.58

Facility: (2.94 × 1.005 + 1.26 × 0.988 + 0.4 × 0.899) × $33.4009 = $152.28

Open 44389 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 44389

The CMS indicators that decide how 44389 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 44389

Colonoscopy, through stoma, with biopsy

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global period000Same-day global: pre- and post-op care on the day of the procedure is included.
Multiple procedures3Endoscopy family rules apply.
Bilateral (modifier 50)0The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply.
Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS)1Not paid (statutory restriction).
Co-surgeons (62)0Not permitted.
Team surgery (66)0Not permitted.
Professional/technical0Physician service: no professional/technical split.

What modifiers do to the payment

Modifier 51 · payment effect

With and without the modifier

44389 without 51 · national office

$457.59

Colonoscopy, through stoma, with biopsy

44389-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$228.80

When this isn’t the highest-valued procedure in the session, Medicare pays 50% of its fee schedule amount (the highest is paid at 100%).

When to use modifier 51

Codes related to 44389

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

Codes related to 44389
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Delaware
Same family
44388Colonoscopy, diagnostic, through stomaStoma colonoscopy without the biopsy service described by 44389.$349.76
44391Colonoscopy through stoma, control of bleedingStoma colonoscopy for treatment of bleeding.$694.22
44392Stoma colonoscopy, hot biopsy forceps removalStoma colonoscopy with lesion removal by hot biopsy forceps or bipolar cautery.$427.22
44394Stomal colonoscopy, snare lesion removalStoma colonoscopy with lesion removal by snare technique.$478.56
Used instead
45380Colonoscopy with biopsy, single or multiple forceps biopsiesColonoscopy with biopsy through the anus rather than through a stoma.$474.93

How 44389 has changed in Delaware

44389 · Office / nonfacility

$452.58

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $61.64 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $390.94 to $452.58 (15.8%).

It is unchanged from the immediately preceding available release, effective 2026-07-01.

Base rate by release · bars start at $0 · select a bar to compare

One bar per available release, ordered by effective date. Missing rates remain gaps. These comparisons hold the code, setting and locality identifiers constant; they do not isolate which policy or input caused a change.

What changed, release by release

  1. January 1, 2026

    RVU26A

    $390.94changed to$452.58

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 3.02 changed to 2.94
    • Practice expense RVU 8.71 changed to 10.36
    • Malpractice RVU 0.42 changed to 0.40
    • Work GPCI 1.009 changed to 1.005
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.992 changed to 0.988
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.949 changed to 0.899

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $408.29changed to$390.94

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 8.91 changed to 8.71
    • Malpractice RVU 0.40 changed to 0.42

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $401.62changed to$408.29

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $422.18changed to$401.62

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 8.97 changed to 8.91
    • Malpractice RVU 0.41 changed to 0.40
    • Work GPCI 1.007 changed to 1.009
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.007 changed to 0.992
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.938 changed to 0.949

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $443.63changed to$422.18

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 9.22 changed to 8.97
    • Malpractice RVU 0.39 changed to 0.41
    • Work GPCI 1.005 changed to 1.007
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.022 changed to 1.007
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.927 changed to 0.938

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $443.78changed to$443.63

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 9.13 changed to 9.22
    • Malpractice RVU 0.38 changed to 0.39

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $419.93changed to$443.78

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 8.03 changed to 9.13
    • Malpractice RVU 0.39 changed to 0.38
    • Work GPCI 1.006 changed to 1.005
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.021 changed to 1.022
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.023 changed to 0.927

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $407.14changed to$419.93

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 7.63 changed to 8.03
    • Malpractice RVU 0.43 changed to 0.39
    • Work GPCI 1.007 changed to 1.006
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.019 changed to 1.021
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.119 changed to 1.023

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $397.56changed to$407.14

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 7.37 changed to 7.63
    • Malpractice RVU 0.44 changed to 0.43

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $395.39changed to$397.56

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 7.30 changed to 7.37
    • Work GPCI 1.010 changed to 1.007
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.025 changed to 1.019
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.101 changed to 1.119

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $465.31changed to$395.39

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Work RVU 3.12 changed to 3.02
    • Practice expense RVU 9.07 changed to 7.30
    • Malpractice RVU 0.45 changed to 0.44
    • Work GPCI 1.012 changed to 1.010
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.031 changed to 1.025
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.083 changed to 1.101

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $416.28changed to$465.31

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Work RVU 3.13 changed to 3.12
    • Practice expense RVU 7.66 changed to 9.07
    • Malpractice RVU 0.48 changed to 0.45

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $414.21changed to$416.28

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $411.22changed to$414.21

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 7.61 changed to 7.66
    • Malpractice RVU 0.47 changed to 0.48
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.038 changed to 1.031
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.878 changed to 1.083

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $430.13changed to$411.22

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 8.76 changed to 7.61
    • Malpractice RVU 0.49 changed to 0.47
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.044 changed to 1.038
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.672 changed to 0.878

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $430.13

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$452.58$152.28RVU26D
2026-07-01$452.58$152.28RVU26C
2026-04-01$452.58$152.28RVU26B
2026-01-01$452.58$152.28RVU26A
2025-10-01$390.94$164.72RVU25D
2025-07-01$390.94$164.72RVU25C
2025-04-01$390.94$164.72RVU25B
2025-01-01$390.94$164.72RVU25A
2024-10-01$408.29$168.55RVU24D
2024-07-01$408.29$168.55RVU24C
2024-04-01$408.29$168.55RVU24B
2024-03-09$408.29$168.55RVU24AR
2024-01-01$401.62$165.80RVU24A
2023-10-01$422.18$171.37RVU23D
2023-07-01$422.18$171.37RVU23C
2023-04-01$422.18$171.37RVU23B
2023-01-01$422.18$171.37RVU23A
2022-10-01$443.63$174.84RVU22D
2022-07-01$443.63$174.84RVU22C
2022-04-01$443.63$174.84RVU22B
2022-01-01$443.63$174.84RVU22A
2021-10-01$443.78$175.61RVU21D
2021-07-01$443.78$175.61RVU21C
2021-04-01$443.78$175.61RVU21B
2021-01-01$443.78$175.61RVU21A
2020-10-01$419.93$181.53RVU20D
2020-07-01$419.93$181.53RVU20C
2020-04-01$419.93$181.53RVU20B
2020-01-01$419.93$181.53RVU20A
2019-10-01$407.14$184.60RVU19D
2019-07-01$407.14$184.60RVU19C
2019-04-01$407.14$184.60RVU19B
2019-01-01$407.14$184.60RVU19A
2018-10-01$397.56$185.90RVU18D
2018-07-01$397.56$185.90RVU18C
2018-04-01$397.56$185.90RVU18B
2018-01-01$397.56$185.90RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$395.39$185.34RVU17D
2017-07-01$395.39$185.34RVU17C
2017-04-01$395.39$185.34RVU17B
2017-01-01$395.39$185.34RVU17A
2016-10-01$465.31$190.67RVU16D
2016-07-01$465.31$190.67RVU16C
2016-04-01$465.31$190.67RVU16B
2016-01-01$465.31$190.67RVU16A
2015-10-01$416.28$195.11RVU15D
2015-07-01$416.28$195.11RVU15C
2015-04-01$414.21$194.14RVU15B
2015-01-01$414.21$194.14RVU15A
2014-10-01$411.22$191.09RVU14D
2014-07-01$411.22$191.09RVU14C
2014-04-01$411.22$191.09RVU14B
2014-01-01$411.22$191.09RVU14A
2013-10-01$430.13$187.17RVU13D
2013-07-01$430.13$187.17RVU13C
2013-04-01$430.13$187.17RVU13B
2013-01-01$430.13$187.17RVU13AR

Price 44389 for an earlier date of service

Where the Delaware rate applies

Delaware is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 79 cities and communities in Delaware. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Arden
  • Ardencroft
  • Ardentown
  • Bear
  • Bellefonte
  • Bethany Beach
  • Bethel
  • Blades

Browse all communities in Delaware

44389 billing questions

How does 44389 differ from 45380?

Code 44389 is for colonoscopy performed through a stoma. Code 45380 describes colonoscopy with biopsy through the usual anal route.

Do multiple biopsy sites create multiple units?

No. The code covers the examination with one or more biopsies; the number of sites or specimens does not create additional units.

Can the diagnostic stoma colonoscopy be billed separately?

The examination is included in 44389 when biopsy is performed during it. Do not separately report a diagnostic colonoscopy for that same examination.

Which code should be used if a lesion is removed?

Use the stoma-colonoscopy code that describes the removal technique, such as 44392 or 44394, rather than coding biopsy alone for the removal.

Can modifier 50 or an assistant-at-surgery claim be reported?

Modifier 50 is inappropriate for this single stoma examination. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for 44389.

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

Show the CMS file lines behind this rate
RVUs for 44389PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 5,411 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for DelawareGPCI2026.csv, line 40 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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