Urology Coding Alert
Dilation Coding Depends on Stricture
Question: My doctor turned in slip that states “patient had cysto with urethral and ureteral dilatation with right ureteroscopy, laser stone manipulation and stents.” Would 52353 take care of both the ureteral and urethral dilatation?
Alabama Subscriber
Answer: The urethral dilation is included and bundled in all the other codes.
If this patient indeed had a ureteral stricture that required ureteral dilation, you would code 52344 (Cystourethroscopy with ureteroscopy; with treatment of ureteral stricture [eg, balloon dilation, laser, electrocautery, and incision]) or 52341 (Cystourethroscopy; with treatment of ureteral stricture [eg, balloon dilation, laser, electrocautery, and incision]).
Additionally: You will also report the ureteral stone manipulation using 52352 (Cystourethroscopy, with ureteroscopy and/or pyeloscopy; with removal or manipulation of calculus [ureteral catheterization is included]) or 52330 (Cystourethroscopy [including ureteral catheterization]; with manipulation, without removal of ureteral calculus), depending on the type of surgical procedures performed.
If there is no ureteral stricture, and the ureteral dilation is only to facilitate the passage of the ureteroscope, then you should not report any ureteral dilation codes.
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