Urology Coding Alert

Question: If a “small” lesion is 0.5-2.0 cm, and a “medium” lesion is 2.0-5.0 cm, does that mean that a 2.0 cm lesion is small? Or medium? Is it just me or is this unclear?

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Answer: Take a look at the following as a size guideline for resection of bladder lesions:

• 52224 (Cystourethroscopy, with fulguration (including cryosurgery or laser surgery) or treatment of MINOR (less than 0.5 cm) lesion(s) with or without biopsy) for a lesion size less than 0.5 cm or minor
• 52234 (Cystourethroscopy, with fulguration (including cryosurgery or laser surgery) and/or resection of; SMALL bladder tumor(s) (0.5 up to 2.0 cm)) for a lesion size 0.5 cm to 2 cm or small
• 52235 (Cystourethroscopy, with fulguration (including cryosurgery or laser surgery) and/or resection of; MEDIUM bladder tumor(s) (2.0 to 5.0 cm)) for a lesion size over 2 cm to 5 cm or medium
• 52240 (Cystourethroscopy, with fulguration (including cryosurgery or laser surgery) and/or resection of; LARGE bladder tumor(s)) for a lesion size over 5 cm or large

For a bladder lesion 2 cm or less, for its resection, bill 52234. For a bladder lesion over 2 cm, for its resection bill 52235.