Ureterotomy (Code 50605) (December 2009)

December 2009 pages 4-5 Coding Clarification: Ureterotomy (Code 50605 ) Question: My physician wants to report an ureterotomy code to insert a stent when the ureter is already cut away from the bladder or the kidney. Is this appropriate? Answer: There has been a significant increase of the reporting of code 50605 , Ureterotomy for insertion of indwelling stent, all types, suggesting confusion over proper reporting. There is only one situation for which code 50605 should be reported. If the physician cannot insert a stent into the ureter by going up through the bladder (code 52332 or 50385 ) or...

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Note:  The following article synopsis was NOT provided by the AMA. It was created by Find-A-Code/innoviHealth.

Article Overview

This December 2009 CPT Assistant article explains ureterotomy-related coding issues for urology and related surgical settings. It is intended for coders and clinical documentation reviewers who need to distinguish appropriate reporting scenarios from situations where the service is considered part of another procedure. The discussion focuses on general reporting clarification, related procedure context, and modifier use in a limited circumstance.

Why This Topic Matters

The article helps reduce miscoding in operative reports involving ureteral stent placement and related urologic surgery. Accurate understanding of this guidance supports cleaner claim submission and better alignment of documentation with CPT reporting expectations.

Article Sections

  1. Coding Clarification: Ureterotomy (Code 50605)

    Introduces the coding question and frames the reporting concern addressed in the article.

  2. Inappropriate Reporting of Code 50605

    Discusses circumstances in which ureterotomy-related reporting is not considered appropriate and highlights related operative context.

What You Will Learn

  • The general reporting context for ureterotomy-related services in CPT
  • How the article frames appropriate versus inappropriate documentation scenarios
  • The role of modifier use in a limited ureterotomy-related situation
  • How related urologic and abdominal surgical procedures affect coding review

Who Should Read This

  • Medical coders
  • Urology coding specialists
  • Compliance reviewers
  • Physician documentation staff
  • Revenue cycle professionals

Codes Discussed

Modifiers Discussed


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