Urology Coding Alert

Beware: All 'stents' are not created equal. When your urologist places a stent following a ureteroscopic procedure, such as a stone removal, the coding isn't always cut and dry. You'll need to dig into the documentation details to ensure you choose the correct code for the clinical circumstances. Take a look at these three pointers so you'll avoid the most common stent coding mistakes. 1. Learn When a Stent Isn't Really a Stent Not every mention of "stent" in your urologist's documentation means you can report a stent code such as 52332 (Cystourethroscopy, with insertion of indwelling ureteral stent [e.g., Gibbons or double-J type]). Here's why: There are really two types of stents your urologist will use -- temporary and permanent -- and the first one is not really a true stent, says Michael A. Ferragamo, MD, FACS, clinical assistant professor of urology at the State University of New York at Stony [...]