Urology Coding Alert

Question: I am having discussions with our doctors and nurses who perform urodynamics studies about the correct coding and billing practices for a patient who could not void. They want to report 51728 and +51797 because the abdominal pressures are still being measured as the patient attempts to void. I don't think we can report those codes, or any others. Who is correct?

Kansas Subscriber

Answer: You are correct. If the patient is unable to void, then you cannot bill any voiding measurements because none can really be made. That means reporting 51728 (Complex cystometrogram [ie, calibrated electronic equipment]; with voiding pressure studies [ie, bladder voiding pressure], any technique) is not appropriate.

Additionally: Since you cannot bill any voiding studies when the patient does not void, you also cannot bill for rectal pressure using +51797 (Voiding pressure studies, intra-abdominal [ie, rectal, gastric, intraperitoneal] [List separately in addition to code for primary procedure]). This is an add-on code which is dependent on the reporting of 51728 and can never be reported on its own.