Urology Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Capture KUB Work With 74000

Question: Is it appropriate to bill a KUB interpretation with an ESWL when the urologist documents the stones were non-visualized on KUB following the delivery of 2500 shocks?

Texas Subscriber

Answer: Yes. If your urologist documented that he interpreted the kidney, ureters, and bladder (KUB) x-ray film, you can bill for this procedure along with the extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL).

Report 50590 (Lithotripsy, extracorporeal shock wave) for the ESWL. Then report 74000 (Radiological examination, abdomen; single anteroposterior view) for the KUB. Append modifier 26 (Professional component) to 74000 to explain that your urologist performed only the interpretation and report.