Urology Coding Alert

Test yourself with these 6 questions

If you're still trying to get a grip on the changes from the National Correct Coding Initiative, version 11.2, take this quiz. These questions will test just how well you understand the new adrenalectomy and drug administration bundles. 

Hint: You can find all the quiz answers in the articles "Reporting Radioactive PVR Studies and Cystos Separately? Not Anymore" in the May 2005 issue and "Coding Adrenalectomies and Nephrectomies Separately? Time to Change Your Claims" in the August 2005 issue. Question 1: True or false: The urologist performs a simple nephrectomy, but during the dissection also finds he must remove the adrenal gland. The nephrectomy is not considered radical because there was no node dissection, Gerota's fascia removal or thrombectomy. Because the procedure was only a simple nephrectomy, you should report the adrenalectomy separately. Question 2: G0351 (Therapeutic or diagnostic injection [specify substance or drug]; subcutaneous or intramuscular) is not bundled with which of the following urological procedures?

A. 50010
B. 53899
C. 52601
D. All of the above
E. None of the above Question 3: Which CPT Code should you report when the urologist uses ultrasound to determine postvoiding residual urine?

A. 78730
B. 76775
C. 51700
D. 51798
E. None of the above Question 4: True or false: The urologist repairs an injury to the female urethra during a urethrolysis. If you can show documentation that these were two separate services, you can append a modifier and be reimbursed for both procedures.

Question 5: NCCI Edits bundles 60540 (Adrenalectomy, partial or complete, or exploration of adrenal gland with or without biopsy, transabdominal, lumbar or dorsal [separate procedure]) and 60545 (... with excision of adjacent retroperitoneal tumor) with which of the following procedure codes?

A. 50225
B. 50323
C. 50543
D. Both B and C
E. All of the above Question 6: The urologist sees a patient in his office in the morning who's complaining of flank pain. The doctor concludes the patient has a ureteral stone and administers an IM shot of Toradol. Later that evening, the urologist removes the stone in the operating room via ureteroscopy with stone basket extraction. Which codes should you report?

A. J1885 and 52352
B. G0351, J1885 and 52352
C. G0351-59, J1885 and 52352
D. Just 52352
E. None of the above.

Quick Quiz Answers

1: False. Adrenalectomies (60540, 60545 and 60650) are now an intrinsic part of 50220 (Nephrectomy, including partial [...]