Urology Coding Alert

Question: Can I charge a catheter code when the urologist does this solely to collect a urine specimen?


Georgia Subscriber

Answer: For a Medicare patient, you can use P9612 (Catheterization for collection of specimen, single patient, all places of service) whenever your urologist does a catheterization to obtain a clean urine specimen (for a urinalysis or culture and sensitivity test). Medicare pays $3 for this code.

For a commercial or private carrier, use code 51701 (Insertion of non-indwelling bladder catheter [e.g., straight catheterization for residual urine]).

Note: When your urologist obtains a post-voiding residual (PVR) by catheter, use 51701 for any carrier.