Urology Coding Alert

Question: What code should I use to report a suprapubic tube irrigation?

Washington DC Subscriber

Answer: You should use CPT 51700 (Bladder irrigation, simple, lavage and/or instillation). You may use 51700 for bladder irrigation no matter what route the urologist uses, via a suprapubic tube or a urethral catheter.

Remember: You often will not be able to separately report an E/M service with 51700. If the patient is in your office just for an irrigation, you'll report only 51700. But if the urologist documents a separately identifiable E/M service, you should report the appropriate-level E/M code, such as 99213 (Office or other outpatient visit for the E/M of an established patient ...). Append modifier 25 (Significant, separately identifiable E/M service by the same physician on the same day of the procedure or other service) to show that the office visit was a separately billable service.