Reader Question:
Bilateral Stents Need Modifier 50
Published on Wed Oct 10, 2012
Question: My surgeon documented that he performed "cysto with bilateral ureteral stent placement and laparoscopic excision of pelvic endometrosis." How should I report these procedures?Alabama SubscriberAnswer: First, report 58662 (Laparoscopy, surgical; with fulguration or excision of lesions of the ovary, pelvic viscera, or peritoneal surface by any method) for the laparoscopic excision of pelvic endometriosis. Then, you should also report 52332 (Cystourethroscopy, with insertion of indwelling ureteral stent [eg, Gibbons or double-J type]) for the stent placement. Append modifier 50 (Bilateral procedure) since the surgeon placed bilateral stents.