2025 CPT code 50953
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Surgery - Surgical Procedures on the Urinary System Surgery Feed
Ureteral endoscopy through an established ureterostomy, with or without irrigation, instillation, or ureteropyelography (excluding radiologic service); with ureteral catheterization, with or without dilation.
Modifiers may be applicable depending on the circumstances of the procedure (e.g., modifier 26 for professional component only if radiologic service is reported separately; other modifiers as dictated by the NCCI edits).
The medical necessity for this procedure is established by the presence of symptoms or findings suggesting a potential urinary tract obstruction, infection, or structural abnormality requiring endoscopic evaluation and intervention. Documentation must support the clinical indication for the procedure.
The urologist or surgeon is responsible for performing the endoscopic procedure, including catheterization and potential dilation.A radiologist may be involved if ureteropyelography is performed; their services are billed separately.
In simple words: The doctor uses a thin, flexible tube with a camera (endoscope) to examine the kidney, ureter, and renal pelvis through an existing opening in the skin connected to the ureter.This may include using fluids to improve the view, taking X-rays, and widening the ureter if needed.
This CPT code encompasses ureteral endoscopy performed through a pre-existing ureterostomy.The procedure involves the insertion of a catheter and endoscope into the ureter via the ureterostomy opening.Irrigation or instillation of fluids may be used to improve visualization.Ureteropyelography (imaging) may be performed, but the radiological service is billed separately.Ureteral catheterization and dilation are included as integral components of this procedure.Note that image-guided dilation without endoscopic guidance is coded separately (50706).
Example 1: A patient with a long-standing ureterostomy presents with recurrent urinary tract infections.The physician performs a ureteral endoscopy to examine the ureter for obstructions or other abnormalities contributing to the infections., A patient undergoes ureteral endoscopy through an existing ureterostomy to evaluate the patency and integrity of the ureter following previous surgery., A patient has a ureteral stricture (narrowing) detected by imaging. The physician performs a ureteral endoscopy to assess the severity of the stricture and dilate it using a balloon catheter during the procedure.
* Preoperative and postoperative diagnoses.* Detailed procedural notes outlining the steps taken, instruments used, and findings.* Any imaging studies (including ureteropyelography if performed).* Patient's history and clinical presentation justifying the procedure.* Anesthesia records.
** Always verify coding accuracy with the most current CPT codebook and payer-specific guidelines.The information provided here is for reference only and should not be considered definitive medical billing advice.
- Revenue Code: P8I (ENDOSCOPY - OTHER)
- RVU: This information requires access to specific fee schedules and may vary by payer and location.Consult your local fee schedule for RVU values and reimbursement rates.
- Global Days: Global period information requires consultation with specific payer guidelines and may not be included in the provided data.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: This code may require a Technical Component (TC) modifier depending on the payer and whether the service is performed in a facility or by a physician.Check with individual payers for clarification.
- Fee Schedule: Historical fee schedule data is not provided. Consult publicly available resources such as the CMS website or private payer fee schedules for historical data.
- Specialties:Urology, Surgery
- Place of Service:Office, Ambulatory Surgical Center, Hospital (Inpatient or Outpatient)