Urology Coding Alert

Question: My urologist performed a looposcopy and with a grasping forceps removed the ureteral stent that was in the ileal conduit. How should I report this procedure?Tennessee SubscriberAnswer: You have two coding options for this scenario.Option 1: Report 44380 (Ileoscopy, through stoma; diagnostic, with or without collection of specimen[s] by brushing or washing [separate procedure]) for the looposcopy. Append modifier 22 (Increased procedural services) to 44380 to indicate the extra work of removing the stent. Attach 963 (Foreign body in intestine) as the diagnosis code.Option 2: Report 52315 (Cystourethroscopy, with removal foreign body, calculus, or ureteral stent from urethra or bladder; complicated). Since the ileal conduit acts as a substitute bladder, you can use 52315. Add modifier 52 (Reduced services) to 52315 to indicate that your urologist did not perform the cystoscopic examination, but did perform a looposcopy. Use 939.0 (Foreign body of urethra and/or bladder) for the diagnosis code.Then, [...]