Urology Coding Alert

Focus your energy on these 3 urology-specific edits

Each quarter, you face the often-daunting task of incorporating new bundling edits from the National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) into your urology coding. Version 12.3 went into effect on Oct. 1. Take a look at the edits you’ll want to pay attention to in this round:

• NCCI Edits 12.3 bundles 52007 (Cystourethroscopy ... with brush biopsy) into every cystourethroscopy code from 52320 to 52355, except for 52332. These edits carry modifier indicator “0” meaning you can never use a modifier to unbundle the codes and separately report them.

• Bladder catheterization codes 51701-51703 become components of x-ray guidance code 77421 (Stereoscopic x-ray guidance for localization of target volume for the delivery of radiation therapy). You can’t override those edits with a modifier.

• The same bladder catheterization codes also become components of stereoscopic code G0173 (Linear accelerator based stereotactic radiosurgery, complete course of therapy in one session). These edits, too, won’t yield to a modifier.