Urology Coding Alert
Check Reason For Catheter Placement Before Billing
Question: I know that if a urologist is called in to place ureteral catheters for identification purposes during another surgeon’s procedure, I can code 52005 with the reason for the surgery followed by V07.8. My urologist is performing a laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (50543), and prior to this he performed a cystoscopy with ureteral catheterization (52005) for identification purposes as not to transect the ureter. These codes are not bundled, but should this be reported separately as it is performed by the same surgeon for preventative purposes, and the catheter is removed at the completion of the procedure?
Answer: Since the insertion of the catheter is not diagnostic, and the catheter is being used for ureteral identification, you should not bill for the cystoscopy and catheter insertion in this case. Here the catheter placement is an integral part of the overall operative procedure and not separately billable.
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