Know the Flow of Urodynamic Test Coding Dodge claim errors by spotting the differences between these tests. When a urologist conducts urodynamic testing, they are assessing the performance and efficiency of the patient’s bladder, sphincters, and urethra. Most tests only focus on how well your bladder can store and empty urine. To accurately identify the code to report the tests your urologist might order during urodynamics, you must always check the medical documentation to see if your urologist performed a simple or a complex test. Normally, simple tests use manual equipment such as spinal manometry or stop watch flow rate, while complex testing uses calibrated electronic equipment. You should always double-check if they performed additional testing along with the urodynamics. It can be perplexing to code these tests, as a single code might not provide enough specificity. To ensure the submission of error-free urodynamics testing claims in your urology practice, take a look at these four frequently asked questions.
Question 1: What Happens During Urodynamic Testing? Urodynamic studies are investigative procedures used to assess a patient’s bladder function and determine what might be causing them problems. At an initial urodynamic study, your urologist will use cystometry to measure the patient’s bladder capacity and bladder pressures during filling and emptying of the bladder. The actual test is called a cystometrogram (CMG). During urodynamic testing, your urologist will insert a catheter into the patient’s bladder through the urethra, and it is necessary for the bladder to be filled with water. The catheter is usually attached to electronic equipment that includes a computer program that calculates the fluid in the bladder to test for the following conditions: Know the Cs of bladder filling and emptying: The characteristics or symptoms they are looking for all begin with the letter C. In the filling phase, the “Cs” consist of contractions (involuntary), compliance, continence, capacity, and coarse sensation. In the emptying phase, the urologist is looking for contractility, complete emptying, coordination, and clinical obstruction (if any). According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) policy for urodynamics testing, the patient’s medical record must include: Question 2: Which CPT® Codes Are Used for Urodynamics? CPT® gives you multiple codes to choose from when reporting a CMG and urodynamic studies. Knowing the differences between the tests is your key to proper code choice. When your urologist performs urodynamics tests, you must dig deeper into the documentation for clues about which code to report. Your code choices are as follows: Question 3: What if the Urologist Performs Additional Studies or Testing? When your urologist performs a urodynamic study, they will usually perform complex uroflowmetry, which tells your urologist the actual flow of urine upon voiding and whether the flow is free or obstructed. You should report uroflowmetry with code 51741 (Complex uroflowmetry (eg, calibrated electronic equipment)). During a complete urodynamic study, your urologist may also perform an electromyography (EMG) with a bladder voiding pressure (VP) study. You may report one or more of the following codes for these studies, if your urologist performs them: If your urologist performs a radiological voiding study in addition to a complex urodynamics study, you may also report the following codes on your claim: Question 4: How Should I Code Video Urodynamic Tests? Video urodynamic tests combine cystometry, uroflowmetry, and X-ray cystography into a few tests. The digital equipment used can measure urine flow and pressure in the bladder or rectum by using X-rays. This equipment takes images of the bladder during filling and emptying. According to Stephanie Storck, CPC, CPMA, CUC, CCS-P, ACS-UR, longtime urology coding expert and consultant in Glen Burnie, Maryland, “The X-rays and videos show the size and shape of the bladder, which helps the provider identify the possible problems in the urinary tract to improve diagnostic accuracy for a patient whose condition is difficult to identify.” If your urologist adds a video portion to the urodynamic study, be sure to code: