Urology Coding Alert

Question: A patient had a TURP 14 years ago and now has a regrowth of his prostate and my physician is doing a HoLEP prostatectomy with morcellation. Can I use 52649 or do I have to use 52630 because this is a regrowth?

Virginia Subscriber

Answer: You can and should use 52649 (Laser enucleation of the prostate with morcellation, including control of postoperative bleeding, complete [vasectomy, meatotomy, cystourethroscopy, urethral calibration and/or dilation, internal urethrotomy and transurethral resection of prostate are included if performed]) for the HoLEP prostatectomy your urologist performed.

You should use 52630 (Transurethral resection; residual or re-growth of obstructive prostate tissue including control of postoperative bleeding, complete [vasectomy, meatotomy, cystourethroscopy, urethral calibration and/or dilation, and internal urethrotomy are included]) only when your urologist performs a repeat transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) procedure following a previous initial transurethral resection of the prostate gland.