Urology Coding Alert

Answer: CPT 57288 (sling operation for stress incontinence [e.g., fascia or synthetic]), 51845 (abdomino-vaginal vesical neck suspension, with or without endoscopic control [e.g., Stamey, Raz, modified Pereyra]) and 57240 (anterior colporrhaphy, repair of cystocele with or without repair of urethrocele) are not bundled, according to version 7.0 of the Correct Coding Initiative (CCI). Theoretically, they could be billed together, as 57288, 51845-51 (multiple procedures) and 57240 -51. Private carriers may nevertheless view these as separate but integral procedures and limit payment for all three together. Surgically, it would be unusual to do a Raz/Stamey procedure at the same time as a sling procedure, although on occasion they could be combined.