Urology Coding Alert

Question: We are starting to do a procedure in the office for incontinence called Urgent PC. How should I code this new procedure?

Answer: Urgent PC is a relatively new technique urologists use to treat overactive bladder syndrome. The first code you should report for this procedure is 64555 (Percutaneous implantation of neurostimulator electrodes; peripheral nerve [excludes sacral nerve]) for the posterior tibial nerve needle stimulation (PTNS). This code pays $206.60, based on the unadjusted Medicare physician fee schedule.

Next, report 95971 (Electronic analysis of implanted neurostimulator pulse generator system [e.g., rate, pulse amplitude and duration, configuration of wave form, battery status, electrode selectability, output modulation, cycling, impedance and patient compliance measure-ments]; simple spinal cord, or peripheral [i.e., peripheral nerve, autonomic nerve, neuromuscular] neurostimulator pulse generator/transmitter, with intraoperative or subsequent programming) for the neurostimulator programming. You can expect $43.58, based on the unadjusted Medicare fee schedule, for this part of the procedure.

Note: Urologists repeat the procedure every two weeks for a recommended 12-week course. Because 64555 has a 10-day global period, you'll be able to report the service each time based on that schedule.