January 2009 page 7
Surgery: Urinary System, Radiology/Diagnostic Radiology, 50395, 74485 (Q&A)
Question: When are codes 50395 and 74485 applicable? Is it
appropriate to use these codes when an external tract (from the
skin into the renal pelvis) is dilated to facilitate placement of a
catheter or device(s)?
Answer: CPT code 50395, Introduction of guide into renal
pelvis and/or ureter with dilation to establish nephrostomy
tract, percutaneous, describes the creation of a tract for an
endourologic procedure. Commonly, an existing nephrostomy
is converted to a large tract (such as 30 French) for
endourological interventions. However, code 50395 is...
Note: The following article synopsis was NOT provided by the AMA. It was created by Find-A-Code/innoviHealth.
Article Overview
This January 2009 CPT Assistant Q&A article addresses coding guidance for urinary system and diagnostic radiology services in a narrow procedural context. It is relevant to coders and billing staff who work with endourologic procedures, nephrostomy-related services, and related imaging support. The article explains the scope of the discussed CPT codes and clarifies the general type of service each code is intended to represent.
Why This Topic Matters
Articles like this help coders distinguish among closely related urinary and radiology services and understand when supporting imaging is part of the reported service. That can improve consistency in CPT reporting for procedures involving nephrostomy tract work and associated supervision/interpretation.
Article Sections
January 2009 page 7
A brief Q&A format article covering a urinary system procedure topic and a related diagnostic radiology service topic within CPT Assistant.
What You Will Learn
The procedural context discussed in the article
How the article frames related urinary system and radiology CPT guidance
The general purpose of the referenced diagnostic imaging supervision and interpretation service
The types of questions addressed in the January 2009 Q&A
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