Urology Coding Alert

Question: A patient had a cystoureteroscopy laser lithotripsy with stent placement. Later that night, the stent dislodged and was pulled out. The next day, the provider returned the patient to the OR to place another stent. What diagnosis code should I put on the claim for the second stent?

Oregon Subscriber

Answer: Since you are dealing with zero-day global procedures, and you don’t need to attach modifiers for payment, the diagnosis should be the same as the diagnosis you initially used for the stent placement. Most likely, your diagnosis codes will be 591 (Hydronephrosis) and V07.8 (Other specified prophylactic or treatment measure), which translates into prophylactic placement of a stent to avoid hydronephrosis.