Urology Coding Alert

Question: My doctor did a cysto, ureteroscopy, holmium laser, and stone basket extraction of five ureteral stones. Should I only bill CPT 52353 one time? Or do I bill it multiple times for multiple stones in the same ureter?South Carolina SubscriberAnswer: You should bill 52353 (Cystourethroscopy, with ureteroscopy and/or pyeloscopy; with lithotripsy [ureteral catheterization is included]) just once, regardless of the number of stones removed. Keep in mind: If the number of stones fragmented and removed increased the time of the procedure significantly, such as more than an hour over what it usually takes to do such a ureteroscopic procedure, you may want to consider adding modifier 22 (Increased procedural services) to look for additional payment. How it works: When a procedure requires significant additional time or effort that falls outside the normal range of services described by a particular CPT code -- and no other CPT code better describes the [...]