Urology Coding Alert

The NeoControl Pelvic Floor Therapy System, a new therapy for stress and urge incontinence in women, presents challenges for urology coders because it lacks its own code. The device, also known as the magnetic chair, exercises the pelvic floor muscles by producing focused pulsed magnetic fields.

Although the manufacturer has applied for a CPT code, for now, use the unlisted urinary system code (53899, unlisted procedure, urinary system). Use diagnosis codes 625.6 (stress incontinence, female), 788.31 (urge incontinence) or 788.32 (stress incontinence, male).

Although payers may not reimburse for this procedure, many patients are willing to pay out of their own pocket. Nevertheless, you need a code for tracking purposes.

Codes that you might be tempted to use, but should not use, are CPT 97032 (application of a modality to one or more areas; electrical stimulation [manual], each 15 minutes), which requires direct patient contact by the provider; 97014 (application of a modality to one or more areas; electrical stimulation [unattended]), which does not require direct patient contact by the provider; and 97535 (self care/home management training [e.g., activities of daily living (ADL) and compensatory training, meal preparation, safety procedures, and instructions in use of adaptive equipment] direct one-on-one contact by provider, each 15 minutes).

All but 97535 are bundled into 90911 (biofeedback training, perineal muscles, anorectal or urethral sphincter, including EMG and/or manometry). None of these codes describes the magnetic chair.

This chair is different from biofeedback because there is no feedback at all. Biofeedback is a training program that helps patients learn how to do Kegels, while the NeoControl chair does the Kegels for the patient.

Biofeedback is similar to the NeoControl chair in that the pelvic floor muscles are strengthened, but it doesnt work unless the patient can and is willing to do the exercises.

For more information, call Neotonus at 770-428-7356 or log on to the Web site www.neotonus.com.