Urology Coding Alert

Don’t miss the revision of 74485.

The American Medical Association has released its final information about code additions, revisions, and deletions for CPT^® 2019. Here’s a quick first look at some changes that will come into play for urology practices.

You’ll find three new procedure codes of interest:

• 50436 – Dilation of existing tract, percutaneous, for an endourologic procedure including imaging guidance (eg, ultrasound and/or fluoroscopy) and all associated radiological supervision and interpretation, with postprocedure tube placement, when performed
• 50437 – … including new access into the renal collecting system
• 53854 – Transurethral destruction of prostate tissue; by radiofrequency generated water vapor thermotherapy.

And, code 74485 will have a revised descriptor:

• Old descriptor through Dec. 31, 2018: Dilation of nephrostomy, ureters, or urethra, radiological supervision and interpretation 
• New descriptor effective Jan. 1, 2019: Dilation of ureter(s) or urethra, radiological supervision and interpretation.

Watch for more details in future issues of Urology Coding Alert about each of these codes and any others that might affect how you file claims.