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Urology Coding Alert

Reader Questions:

Technique Doesn't Alter Stricture Coding

Published on Thu Dec 20, 2012

Question: I work for a board-certified urologist and surgeon who performed a “laser ablation for urethral stricture.” Is there a code I can use for that? I have been working with code books and the Internet and have not found a satisfactory answer. New Jersey Subscriber Answer: You should report 52276 (Cystourethroscopy with direct vision internal urethrotomy) for this procedure. You’ll use that code for urethral stricture treatment regardless of the technology your urologist uses, whether a laser, hot knife, cold knife, or a single resection groove. Diagnosis: You should attach ICD-9 code 598.9 (Urethral stricture, unspecified) to the procedure code you report for this case.
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