Urology Coding Alert
Coding Edits Point You to 51720 Over 52000
Question: A patient came to our office for a surveillance cystoscopic examination for bladder cancer. The physician then instilled BCG, 51720, for maintenance. The codes we would normally report for these procedures (52000 and 51720) are bundled. Which one should I bill for this visit? Washington Subscriber Answer: CCI edits bundle codes52000 (Cystourethroscopy [separate procedure]) and51720 (Bladder instillation of anticarcinogenic agent [including retention time]), with no allowances for appending a modifier to break the edit and report both codes for reimbursement. You cannot bill them together for the same session and on the same date of service. When the urologist completes both services during the same encounter, you should only submit 51720.
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