2025 CPT code 50706
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Deletion Date: N/A Surgery - Surgical Procedures on the Urinary System Surgery Feed
Balloon dilation of a ureteral stricture, using imaging guidance (ultrasound and/or fluoroscopy), including radiological supervision and interpretation.This is an add-on code.
Modifiers may be applicable depending on the circumstances of the procedure.Consult the CPT manual for modifier guidance and payer-specific rules.Modifiers such as -50 (bilateral procedure), -59 (distinct procedural service), or others may be needed based on the procedure being performed.
Medical necessity is established by the presence of a symptomatic ureteral stricture confirmed by imaging studies (e.g., KUB, CT scan, intravenous pyelogram) demonstrating obstruction and clinical symptoms such as hydronephrosis or recurrent urinary tract infections.Documentation should support the need for dilation based on these findings. The documentation should justify the use of the add-on code, confirming that it was needed to complete the main procedure.
The urologist or interventional radiologist is primarily responsible for this procedure.This includes pre-procedural preparation, insertion of guidewire and balloon catheter, dilation, post-procedural care, and interpretation of imaging studies.Anesthesiologist may be involved depending on the patient's condition and the complexity of the main procedure.
In simple words: This medical code describes a procedure to widen a narrowed ureter (tube carrying urine from the kidney to the bladder) using a small balloon.Special imaging (ultrasound or X-ray) is used to guide the balloon, and a doctor interprets the images during the procedure. This is an additional charge, added to the cost of the main procedure.
This CPT code, 50706, represents balloon dilation of a ureteral stricture (narrowing) utilizing image guidance techniques such as ultrasound and/or fluoroscopy.The procedure encompasses the dilation process itself, along with the necessary radiological supervision and interpretation of the imaging data required to perform the dilation. The procedure may be performed through various access points (transrenal, existing renal/ureteral access, transurethral, ileal conduit, or ureterostomy).The process of gaining access is separately billable. Diagnostic imaging (pyelography/ureterography) is not included and should be reported separately. Any other interventions or catheter placements performed concurrently are also separately billable. This code is an add-on code and must be reported in conjunction with a primary procedure code.
Example 1: A patient presents with a ureteral stricture following pelvic surgery.The urologist performs a cystoscopy (52000) and ureteropyelography (50385) and subsequently dilates the stricture using 50706.This requires fluoroscopy guidance to accurately place the balloon catheter. , During a laparoscopic nephrectomy (50210), the surgeon encounters a significant ureteral stricture which compromises the ability to complete the nephrectomy. Using an add-on code 50706, the surgeon dilates the stricture under fluoroscopy to allow completion of the nephrectomy. , A patient has a history of recurrent urinary stones and undergoes ureteroscopy (52341). During the procedure, a significant ureteral stricture is identified and successfully treated with balloon dilation (50706) under fluoroscopic guidance. The stricture is successfully dilated to allow for the rest of the procedure.
Detailed operative notes describing the approach (percutaneous, transurethral, etc.), the use of imaging guidance (ultrasound and/or fluoroscopy), balloon size, number of dilations, and any complications. Preoperative and postoperative imaging studies (x-rays, ultrasound) to document the stricture pre and post dilation.
** Always refer to the most current CPT codebook and payer guidelines for the most up-to-date information on coding and reimbursement.The information provided here is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice.
- Revenue Code: P1G (MAJOR PROCEDURE - OTHER)
- RVU: RVUs would vary depending on the geographic location and other factors.Consult a relevant fee schedule for specific values.
- Global Days: The global period for this add-on code is dependent on the primary procedure with which it is bundled.There is no independent global period for this code.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: The TC modifier is not applicable to this code as it represents the entire procedure.The professional component is inherent in the code.
- Fee Schedule: Historical fee schedule data is not provided here.Refer to payer-specific fee schedules and relevant databases for this information.RVUs can vary greatly depending on payer and location.
- Specialties:Urology, Interventional Radiology
- Place of Service:Office, Outpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgery Center, Hospital Inpatient