Urology Coding Alert

Question: I have a patient that had Aquablation^® done (0421T), and the following day the provider went back in and had evacuation of clots, and they resected some more prostate tissue through a resectoscope. Should I use 52630 or 52601?

AAPC Forum Member

Answer: You should report 52630 (Transurethral resection; residual or regrowth of obstructive prostate tissue including control of postoperative bleeding, complete (vasectomy, meatotomy, cystourethroscopy, urethral calibration and/or dilation, and internal urethrotomy are included)) for a repeat transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) only after an initial TURP. Following an Aquablation^®, bill a follow-up TURP with code 52601 (Transurethral electrosurgical resection of prostate, including control of postoperative bleeding, complete (vasectomy, meatotomy, cystourethroscopy, urethral calibration and/or dilation, and internal urethrotomy are included)). Aquablation^®, code 0421T (Transurethral waterjet ablation of prostate, including control of post-operative bleeding, including ultrasound guidance, complete (vasectomy, meatotomy, cystourethroscopy, urethral calibration and/or dilation, and internal urethrotomy are included when performed)), is a category III code, which has no relative value units (RVUs) and no specific global period. Therefore, a modifier is not needed when you perform a TURP, code 52601, in the postoperative period of an Aquablation^®.