Urology Coding Alert

Question: What is the correct code for a bladder scan? Should we bill for the professional component only?

North Carolina Subscriber

Answer: Like catheterization (see article Code Catheterization Correctly to Avoid Denials), the answer depends on where you are doing the scan, and on the payer. In the office, bill for Medicare patients with HCPCS code G0050 (measurement of post-voiding residual urine and/or bladder capacity by ultrasound).

In the hospital, bill third-party payers and Medicare with 76857 (echography, pelvic [nonobstetric], B-scan and/or real time with image documentation; limited or follow-up [e.g., for follicles]) or 76775 (echography, retroperitoneal [e.g., renal, aorta, nodes], B-scan and/or real time with image documentation; limited). There is no professional component (modifier -26) with this procedure, because no physician interpretation is required. An evaluation and management service may be reported as appropriate in addition to any of these codes, bundling edits notwithstanding.