Urology Coding Alert

Make sure you look for the defect location.

When your urologist performs a hypospadias repair for a child, as explained in “Repair Your Hypospadias Procedure Coding With 3 Steps,” you have one diagnostic code to report: 752.61 (Hypospadias). That will change in ICD-10. 

Lay Terms: Hypospadias is a congenital condition in pediatric patients with the urinary meatus (opening) not located at the end of the penis. Instead, the opening of the urethra is on the underside of the penis, anywhere from the distal portion of the penis to the perineal area. 

ICD-10 difference: You’ll go from just one code in ICD-9 to six under ICD-10. In ICD-10, you will need to know the specific location of the meatus to choose the proper diagnosis code. You may choose from one of the following: 

• Q54.0 — Hypospadias, balanic

• Q54.1 — Hypospadias, penile

• Q54.2 — Hypospadias, penoscrotal

• Q54.3 — Hypospadias, perineal

• Q54.8 — Other hypospadias

• Q54.9 — Hypospadias, unspecified
  

Physician documentation: Your urologist will now need to identify the hypospadias abnormality, citing the location of the defective meatus. Encourage your physician to start now so that you’re not faced with coding delays come October