Urology Coding Alert

Question: We arent getting paid for any of the catheters we bill Medicare. Can we use the G0002 code? When and how does it apply and how much does Medicare allow for this code?

Indiana Subscriber

Answer: When billing Medicare, HCPCS code G0002 (office procedure, insertion of temporary indwelling catheter, Foley type [separate procedure]) is reported for placement of a Foley catheter for acute urinary retention. Catheters used for other purposes, e.g., clean catch, are not separately paid. An allowance for the supplies used is included in the reimbursement for the procedure (e.g. 53670*, catheterization, urethra; simple; P9612, catheterization for collection of specimen, single patient, all places of service, etc.) unless the incontinence is permanent. (Permanent is defined as incontinence lasting three months or longer.) When this is the case, catheters and other incontinence supplies are billed to your durable medical equipment regional carrier for processing. The G codes pay slightly more than 53670.

Please refer to page 27 of the April 2000 Urology Coding Alert for additional information on catheterization.