Question: Can codes 51700 (Bladder irrigation, simple, lavage and/or instillation) and 51720 (Bladder instillation of anticarcinogenic agent (including retention time)) be billed if a nurse performs the bladder instillation? The code definition states “physician.”
AAPC Forum Subscriber
Answer: The 2021 CPT® manual does not contain the word “physician” for codes 51700 or 51720. A trained nurse may perform 51700 for the Parson’s cocktail or 51720 for the instillation of an anticarcinogenic agent such a BCG or Mitomycin on the basis of a physician’s order. However, the physician must be in the office suite when these services are performed by a nurse. Billing will be in the supervising physician’s name and number.
