Report Laparoscopic Pyeloplasty and Cysto Stent Placement Together
Question: A urologist performed a laparoscopic pyeloplasty. They also placed a stent via cystourethroscopy by inserting a 6 x 28 stent through the anastomosis and down into the bladder. The proximal curl was then placed within the renal pelvis. How do I report these procedures? New York Subscriber Answer: Use 50544 (Laparoscopy, surgical; pyeloplasty) to report the laparoscopic pyeloplasty. You’ll then report the stent placed via cystourethroscopy with 52332 (Cystourethroscopy, with insertion of indwelling ureteral stent (eg, Gibbons or double-J type)). The National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) doesn’t list 52332 as a column 2 code for 50544, so you can correctly report the two codes separately as long as the documentation backs up the procedures and shows the medical necessity for the two codes. Mike Shaughnessy, BA, CPC, Development Editor, AAPC
