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Urology Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Apply CPT Surgical Guidelines to New CPT Codes

Published on Sat Feb 01, 2003

Question: Can we report anesthesia separately if it is used with one of the new bladder insertion codes? Nebraska Subscriber Answer: The key to keeping claims for new CPT Codes clean is to apply the same surgical guidelines to the new codes as to all others. The new bladder catheter insertion codes are:   51701 Insertion of non-indwelling bladder catheter (e.g., straight catheterization for residual urine)     51702 Insertion of temporary indwelling bladder catheter; simple (e.g., Foley)     51703 complicated (e.g., altered anatomy, fractured catheter/balloon).   The Surgery Guidelines section of CPTstates, "In defining the specific services 'included'in a given CPT surgical code, the following services are always included in addition to the operation per se: local infiltration, metacarpal/metatarsal/digital block or topical anesthesia." Topical anesthesia, often used prior to catheter insertion, is included in the surgical package of these new codes and is not separately billable or reimbursable.  
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