2025 CPT code 52332
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Surgery - Ureter and Pelvis Transurethral Surgical Procedures Surgery Feed
Cystourethroscopy with insertion of an indwelling ureteral stent (e.g., Gibbons or double-J type).
Modifiers may be applicable, for instance, modifier 50 for bilateral procedures (except for Medicare), or modifier 59 to distinguish distinct procedural services.
Medical necessity for this procedure must be clearly documented. This could include evidence of ureteral obstruction (e.g., imaging studies, symptoms), the need for a stent during healing, or other clinically relevant indications. Payer-specific guidelines should be consulted.
The physician is responsible for performing the cystourethroscopy and stent insertion, including pre-operative evaluation, patient counseling, obtaining informed consent, and post-operative care.
In simple words: The doctor uses a small camera on a tube to look inside your bladder and urinary tract and then places a small tube called a stent inside the ureter (the tube that connects your kidney to your bladder) to help urine flow.
This code describes a procedure where a cystourethroscope is inserted through the urethra into the bladder to visualize the bladder, urethra, prostatic urethra, and ureteric openings. During the same procedure session, an indwelling ureteral stent, such as a double-J or Gibbons stent, is inserted.This stent is designed to remain in place for a period, bypassing obstructions in the ureter like stones, tumors, edema, inflammation, or strictures.One end of the stent sits in the renal pelvis, the other in the bladder.
Example 1: A patient with a ureteral stone causing obstruction and pain requires stent placement to facilitate urine flow., A patient undergoing ureteroscopic surgery for a tumor or stricture requires stent placement to maintain ureteral patency during healing., Following a traumatic injury to the ureter, a stent is placed to aid in healing and prevent stricture formation.
Documentation should include the medical necessity for the stent insertion, details of the cystourethroscopy findings (e.g., size and location of obstruction, condition of the bladder and urethra), type of stent placed, and any complications encountered. Pre-procedure urinalysis or urine culture may be required to rule out infection.
** Always verify payer-specific guidelines for coding and reimbursement policies.For Medicare patients, there are specific modifier usage guidelines for bilateral procedures. Consult current CPT and NCCI manuals for the most up-to-date information.
- Revenue Code: P8E (ENDOSCOPY - CYSTOSCOPY)
- Global Days: This procedure typically includes a global period, meaning follow-up care related to the stent is included in the payment for a specified number of days.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: No specific TC modifier rules are explicitly stated for this code, although general TC modifier principles may still apply.
- Specialties:Urology
- Place of Service:Ambulatory Surgical Center, Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital