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Urology Coding Alert

Reader Questions:

Clue Payers in to Lesser Procedure With Modifier 52

Published on Sun Jun 14, 2009

Question: One of the urologists in our practice performed a removal of AUS cuff and also the removal of a foreign body from within the bladder. How should I code this procedure? Alabama Subscriber Answer: First, report 53446 (Removal of inflatable urethral/bladder neck sphincter, including pump, reservoir, and cuff) for the removal of the artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) cuff. Append modifier 52 (Reduced services) since the urologist removed only the AUS cuff. Then, report 52310 (Cystourethroscopy, with removal of foreign body, calculus, or ureteral stent from urethra or bladder [separate procedure]; simple) for the foreign body removal. Append modifier 51 (Multiple procedures) for those payers that require a multiple procedure modifier.
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