Urology Coding Alert
Reader Question:
Count Silver Nitrate as Normal Office Supply
Published on Thu May 15, 2014
Question: I am trying to find out if there is a HCPCS code to use for billing silver nitrate sticks. We use 17250 for cauterizing the granulation tissue around a SP tube, but I am curious about billing for the supply of silver nitrate sticks, or if those are considered included in the procedure charge?
Oregon Subscriber
Answer: There is no code for silver nitrate solution or silver nitrate sticks. These supplies are commonly found in most urological offices and are not billable items.
You are using the correct CPT® code, 17250 (Chemical cauterization of granulation tissue [proud flesh, sinus or fistula]), for your local treatment of granulation tissue.
Other Articles in this issue of
Urology Coding Alert
- Endourology:
Unlock Stone + Dilation Procedure Payment With This Case Study Analysis
Tip: Pay attention to dilation approach. One word can make all the difference in your [...] - ICD-10:
Plan on 1 More Year for ICD-10, CMS Website Says
IPPS reinforces Oct. 1, 2015 date. Although it was over a month ago that Congress [...] - Office Guidelines:
Focus on Supervision Requirements Before Employing Ancillary Staff
Overlooking state laws could cost your practice. If your urology practice, like many around the [...] - Urological Oncology:
Confusing FNA and PNB Could Cost You More Than $62 Per Procedure
Don’t assume ‘biopsy’ always means the same thing. When your urologist retrieves a specimen via [...] - Clip and Save:
Easily Identify the Required Supervision
Remember to make note of tighter state laws. The Medicare Physician Fee Schedule notes supervision [...] - You Be the Coder:
Residual Hydrocele and Foreign Body Granuloma After Vasectomy
Question: My urologist performed a left hydrocelectomy with excision of right sperm granuloma and extraction of [...] - Reader Question:
Count Silver Nitrate as Normal Office Supply
Question: I am trying to find out if there is a HCPCS code to use for [...] - Reader Question:
Bill Open Procedure Code For Lap-to-Open Surgeries
Question: My surgeon preformed a laparoscopic radical nephrectomy on a horseshoe kidney but could not finish [...] - Reader Question:
Complicated Clinical Scenario Doesn't Equate to Complex Coding
Question: Our doctor scoped a patient’s ileal vesicostomy with a flexible scope. He noted: “A spinal [...]
View All
