CPT Code 43235: Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (EGD)

CPT code 43235 refers to diagnostic esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), a flexible, transoral endoscopic procedure that visualizes the upper gastrointestinal tract—including the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum—and may include specimen collection by brushing or washing if performed.

The primary difference between CPT codes 43235 and 43239 is that 43235 is for diagnostic EGD without biopsy. At the same time, 43239 includes the EGD procedure with biopsy of single or multiple tissue samples, making 43239 both diagnostic and therapeutic and generally associated with higher reimbursement due to the complexity of the biopsy.

The CPT code for an EGD colonoscopy is not a single code because EGD and colonoscopy are distinct procedures; however, the CPT codes for EGD range from 43235 to 43270 depending on the specific diagnostic or therapeutic interventions performed, while colonoscopy has its own separate CPT code series.