2025 CPT code 50435
(Deleted) Effective Date: N/A Deletion Date: N/A Surgical Procedures on the Urinary System - Urinary System Surgery Feed
Exchange of nephrostomy catheter through the skin, including imaging guidance and interpretation.
Modifiers may have been applicable when the code was active. Since the code is deleted always check current guidelines.
Medical necessity for 50435 must be supported by documentation indicating a clinical need for exchanging the nephrostomy catheter, such as malfunction, blockage, or infection.
The physician preps and anesthetizes the patient, then uses imaging guidance to exchange the existing nephrostomy catheter with a new one. They ensure proper placement, connect it to drainage, and dress the site.Contrast may be injected for imaging the renal pelvis and ureters.
In simple words: This procedure involves replacing a nephrostomy tube (a tube that drains urine from the kidney) through the skin.It uses imaging technology like ultrasound or x-ray to guide the procedure and includes any necessary imaging of the kidney and ureter. The doctor's interpretation of these images is also included.
Exchange nephrostomy catheter, percutaneous, including diagnostic nephrostogram and/or ureterogram when performed, imaging guidance (e.g., ultrasound and/or fluoroscopy) and all associated radiological supervision and interpretation.
Example 1: A patient with a blocked ureter has a nephrostomy tube in place. The tube needs to be replaced due to malfunction, so the physician performs 50435., A patient with a kidney stone has a nephrostomy tube placed for temporary drainage. After the stone is treated, the tube needs to be exchanged before removal, and 50435 is performed., A patient with a kidney infection has a nephrostomy tube for drainage. The tube becomes clogged and needs to be exchanged, requiring 50435.
Documentation should include the reason for the catheter exchange, the method of imaging guidance used, details of the procedure, and any associated nephrostogram/ureterogram findings.
** Code 50435 was replaced by other more specific codes in 2016 to better reflect the complexity of percutaneous nephrostomy procedures.
- Global Days: Global days are not applicable since the code is deleted.
- Payment Status: Inactive
- Specialties:Urology, Radiology
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center