Although stents and ureteral catheters have a lot in common, differences in how urologists use them mean reporting different codes for their placement and removal.
In urological circles, a stent represents a special ureteral catheter, such as a double-J or Gibbons stent, that is intended to be left indwelling for a period of time, usually to bypass an obstructive ureteral process such as stones, a tumor or stricture. The stent is constructed to remain with one end in the renal pelvis and the other end in the bladder. After a specific period of time, the stent is replaced (exchanged) or removed cystoscopically. You should report CPT 52332 (Cystourethroscopy, with insertion of indwelling ureteral stent [e.g., Gibbons or double-J type]) for the placement of the stent. For its separate removal, use CPT 52310 (Cystourethroscopy, with removal of foreign body, calculus, or ureteral stent from urethra or bladder [separate procedure]; simple). However, when you are billing for stent exchange, 52310 can never be billed at the same time as 52332 because it is bundled. Therefore, bill only 52332.A ureteral catheter is used most often to inject contrast material into the collecting system of the kidney and ureter. This catheter is temporary and not intended to be used for long-term drainage. This type of catheter is also placed in the ureter for protection during a procedure within or outside the ureter. At the conclusion of the procedure, the catheter, unlike a stent, is removed. You should use 52005 (Cystourethroscopy, with ureteral catheterization, with or without irrigation, instillation, or ureteropyelography, exclusive of radiologic service) for the catheterization, which includes insertion and removal, says Jan Brunetti, CPC, billing coordinator for Urology Associates of Newport, R.I.Coding Stent ScenariosA typical stent scenario involves a patient who presents with left renal colic (788.0, Symptoms involving urinary system; renal colic), sepsis (038.40, Septicemia due to other gram-negative organisms; gram-negative organism, unspecified) and an obstructing left ureteral stone (592.1, Calculus of ureter). The urologist performs a cystoscopy and J stent placement to bypass the obstructing stone. For this procedure, you should report 52332.Similarly, a patient has right hydroureteronephrosis (591, Hydronephrosis) secondary to an invading cervical carcinoma (180.0, Malignant neoplasm of cervix uteri; endocervix). The patient complains of right flank pain (788.0, Renal colic). The physician places a double-J stent to bypass the obstruction and relieve the pain and hydronephrosis. In this case, you should code 52332.
In another example, following the ureteroscopic extraction of a lower ureteral stone (592.1, Calculus of ureter), the urologist prophylactically places a double-J stent to avoid obstruction secondary to ureteral edema. You should report 52352 (Cystourethroscopy, with ureteroscopy and/or pyeloscopy; with removal or manipulation of calculus [ureteral catheterization is included]) and 52332 appended with
