CPT 44979 Unlisted laparoscopy procedure, appendix
Last reviewed: May 17, 2026
RVU Values (CMS PFS RVU26C July 2026)
Common Modifiers
None typically required
Related ICD-10 Codes
K35.0, K35.1, K35.2
Billing Tips
When billing CPT 44979, ensure your operative note clearly documents the procedure performed, clinical indication, and any complications or additional work that would support modifier usage. Always verify the code against the current AMA CPT Professional Edition before claim submission.
For multi-procedure cases, use our Case Builder to automatically calculate adjusted wRVUs with proper MPPR ranking.
Documentation and Coding Notes
AdSense readiness coding note: CPT 44979 should be treated as an educational starting point, not a final billing instruction. For unlisted laparoscopy procedure, appendix, the operative note or procedure note should clearly support the approach, anatomic site, laterality when relevant, clinical indication, and any separately reportable services.
Before submitting a claim or logging the case, compare CPT 44979 with adjacent codes in the same family, confirm current AMA CPT language, check CMS/NCCI edits, and verify payer-specific bundling rules. Modifier use should be tied to documentation rather than added only to bypass an edit.
Common audit checks for appendectomy cases include whether the documented work matches the code descriptor, whether add-on services are separately supported, whether a global period applies, and whether ICD-10 diagnosis pairing supports medical necessity.
Related CPT Codes in Appendectomy
CPT 44970 — Laparoscopy, surgical, appendectomy CPT 44960 — Appendectomy; for ruptured appendix with abscess or generaliUse our free interactive decision tree with 500+ codes across 30 specialties
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