Reader Question:
Cystoscopy and Bladder Hydrodilation
Published on Wed Dec 01, 1999
Question: How do you code for a cystourethroscopy and bladder hydrodilation (52260) and cystourethroscopy and bladder biopsy (52204) when they are done at the same operative session?
Judy Jerome
Northwest Suburban Urology Associates, SC
Answer: Code 52204 (cystourethroscopy with biopsy) is included in code 52260 (cystourethroscopy with dilation of bladder). Generally, biopsies performed during the course of another procedure are not payable separately because they are considered incidental to the primary procedure. Incidental procedures are those that do not significantly increase the time, effort or risk of the more comprehensive service being performed, and no additional access was needed.
