Urology Coding Alert

Question: The urologist performed a ligation of penile veins. The patient has a history of erectile dysfunction and duplex ultrasound showed significant venous leak. Dictation only states that the superficial tissue was then separated and multiple veins were identified and ligated. Would this qualify for code 55530 or is there a better code to use?

Mississippi Subscriber

Answer: The code you’re considering (55530, Excision of varicocele or ligation of spermatic veins for varicocele; [separate procedure]) is a diagnosis-based code and cannot be reported for treatment of any other diagnosis except varicocele. Because of this, and based on the documentation provided, you should report code 37790 (Penile venous occlusive procedure) instead.