Wiki 52649 vs 52630

[bridgettemartin]

Can someone offer input on this please?

Op note describes Laser Enucleation with morcellation of the prostate (CPT 52649) on a pt with a history of having GreenLight Laser done in the distant past. Dr mentions the residual tissue and assigns 52630 -Transurethral resection, residual or overgrowth.

Just because there is residual tissue, doesn't mean that 52630 is the default code, does it? The CPT descriptor does not state 'any method' for 52630, but there is a descriptor under 52601 to use 52630 for resection of residual tissue.

Thanks!

 

[drewvinson23]

I think this section from the Urology Coding Alert from 11/18/16 may answer your question:

"Sometimes the urologist will use another procedure to treat residual growth after an initial TURP, such as laser prostatectomy (52648, Laser vaporization of the prostate, 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 or 52649, Laser enucleation of the prostate with morcellation ...). If so, you will report the appropriate code for one of the laser procedures above, not the “second repeat TURP” code 52630."

Drew Vinson
CPC
NW Urology

 

[bridgettemartin]

Thank you for the Coding Alert info!!