Urology Coding Alert
Employ Modifier 50 for Bilateral Orchiectomy
Question: A patient had a simple orchiectomy on the right side and on the left side had a large inguinal lymph node excised along with the orchiectomy. The diagnosis was prostate cancer. Which code should I report?
Oregon Subscriber
Answer: You should report 54520 (Orchiectomy, simple [including subcapsular], with or without testicular prosthesis, scrotal or inguinal approach) for the orchiectomy. Attach modifier 50 (Bilateral procedure) since your urologist performed the procedure on both sides. Then, report 38500 (Biopsy or excision of lymph node[s]; open, superficial) for the node excision.
Use ICD-9 diagnosis code 185 (Malignant neoplasm of prostate) for both procedures. [ICD-10: C61, Malignant neoplasm of prostate]
Urology Coding Alert
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