Reader Question:
Sling Operation
Published on Sun Jul 01, 2001
Question: When the doctor performs 57240 or 57288, can we bill for a cystoscopy too? The operative report indicates that the cystoscopy was done, and it doesnt appear to be included in either of those two codes.
California Subscriber
Answer: Code 57288 (sling operation for stress incontinence [e.g., fascia or synthetic]) should not be reported with 52000 (cystourethroscopy [separate procedure]), according to the American Urological Association and AMA. A cystoscopy is always done with the sling operation, and therefore is included in the procedure. You cant report a separate procedure separately when it is done as an integral part of the other procedure.
You do the cystoscopy after the sling operation to check on the success of the major procedure. Code 57240 (anterior colporrhaphy, repair of cystocele with or without repair of urethrocele), by the same logic, would also not be reported with 52000. They are not bundled under CCI, but you still cant bill them separately to Medicare because of the separate-procedure rules under CPT.
