Genitourinary Ureteral Procedures (January 2016)

Why This Topic Matters

Ureteral procedures are a small but complex part of CPT coding, and the article clarifies how new code additions are grouped within the urinary system section. It matters for teams updating reference materials, reviewing reporting relationships, and aligning documentation review processes with the 2016 codebook changes.

Article Sections

1. January 2016 pages 3-6

   Introduces the article’s scope and summarizes the ureter-related CPT 2016 editorial changes being discussed. It frames the codebook updates in the context of the genitourinary surgery section.

2. Ureter/Incision/Biopsy

   Covers the addition of biopsy-related material to the ureter incision subsection and the associated reporting guidance at a high level. The section also discusses how related notes were organized around the new material.

3. New Code 50606 and Parentheticals

   Explains the new add-on code within the biopsy topic area and the surrounding parenthetical structure. The section also covers the general purpose of the associated exclusion and cross-reference notes.

4. Other Introduction (Injection/Change/Removal) Procedures

   Describes the creation of a new subsection for ureteral stent placement procedures and the accompanying guidance framework. It focuses on how the new subsection fits into the broader ureter introduction area.

5. New Codes 50693-50695 and Parenthetical

   Summarizes the newly added percutaneous stent-placement codes and the surrounding editorial notes. The section also addresses the structure of the related guidance without detailing selection rules.

6. New Codes 50705, 50706

   Covers the addition of two ureter repair add-on codes and the associated subsection changes. It also includes the editorial and organizational context for these updates.

7. Clinical Example (50606) / Description of Procedure (50606)

   Provides a procedure example and step-by-step narrative connected to the biopsy-related code discussed earlier in the article. The material illustrates the type of scenario the article is addressing.

8. Clinical Example (50693) / Description of Procedure (50693)

   Provides a procedure example and step-by-step narrative connected to one of the newly added stent-placement codes. The material illustrates the type of scenario the article is addressing.

9. Clinical Example (50694) / Description of Procedure (50694)

   Provides a procedure example and step-by-step narrative connected to another newly added stent-placement code. The material illustrates the type of scenario the article is addressing.

10. Clinical Example (50695) / Description of Procedure (50695)

    Provides a procedure example and step-by-step narrative connected to the third new stent-placement code. The material illustrates the type of scenario the article is addressing.

11. Clinical Example (50705) / Description of Procedure (50705)

    Provides a procedure example and step-by-step narrative connected to the embolization/occlusion code. The material illustrates the type of scenario the article is addressing.

12. Clinical Example (50706) / Description of Procedure (50706)

    Provides a procedure example and step-by-step narrative connected to the balloon dilation code. The material illustrates the type of scenario the article is addressing.