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Urology Coding Alert

Reader Questions:

Pay Attention to Button TURP Technique

Published on Tue Mar 16, 2010

Question: My urologist is performing a new procedure called a "button TURP." I thought CPT 52601 or CPT 53852 might be correct, but now I'm thinking an unlisted procedure code may be more appropriate. What code should I use for this procedure? California Subscriber Answer: You should report 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]) for the button transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) procedure. Why: The button TURP is a bipolar electrical vaporization of the prostatic adenoma with a buttonappearing electrode. Several years ago there was another procedure using a ball type electrode to electrically vaporize the prostate. This instrument was called a Vaportrobe. At that time, coders were instructed to bill for the Vaportrobe using 52601 as this was an electrical procedure. Likewise, you should now use 52601 for a "button [...]
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