Urology Coding Alert

Question: Our urologists routinely perform urinalysis during the post-op period of TURP to check for blood or WBCs. If the urinalysis is abnormal, a culture is done. If an infection is present, antibiotics are prescribed. It’s my understanding Medicare and most insurances don’t pay for complications unless the patient is taken back to the OR/procedure room. Would the urinalysis be similar to postoperative x-rays that are included in the fracture care global period because the physician is evaluating healing process? Or is the urinalysis billable?

Maryland Subscriber

Answer: Yes, this is a billable service. As per CPT® guidelines, the urinalysis can be billed separately during a global period as laboratory and radiological diagnostic tests are not included in the global surgery package/payments.