2025 CPT code 53020

Meatotomy, cutting of meatus (separate procedure); except infant.

This code is for patients older than one year.For infants, use 53025. Do not report this code with modifier 63.

Modifiers may be applicable (e.g., 52 for reduced services).

Medical necessity for a meatotomy must be established by documenting the patient's symptoms, such as difficulty urinating or urinary obstruction, and the failure of conservative treatments if any.

The surgeon prepares and anesthetizes the patient, then incises the ventral lip of the urethral meatus. The incision may be extended if needed, and dilation may be performed to further widen the opening. The edges of the meatus are then approximated to ensure it remains open.The physician must document the patient's age in the operative report.

IMPORTANT 53025 (for infants), 53450 (includes meatotomy with meatoplasty, do not report 53020 separately in this case)

In simple words: A procedure to widen the opening of the urethra to improve urination, performed on patients older than one year old.

Surgical incision of the urethral meatus to enlarge the opening, performed on patients older than one year of age. This is a separate procedure and should not be reported if performed in conjunction with a more complex procedure during the same operative session.

Example 1: A 5-year-old male patient presents with difficulty urinating due to a narrowed urethral meatus. A meatotomy (53020) is performed to enlarge the opening., A 25-year-old male patient has a urethral stricture and undergoes a urethroplasty. A meatotomy is performed during the same session but is not reported separately as it's considered part of the more complex procedure., An 18-month-old male patient with a congenital narrowing of the urethral opening undergoes a meatotomy. Code 53020 is used, as the patient is older than one year.

Operative report should include patient's age, the indication for meatotomy, details of the procedure (incision, dilation, closure), and any complications.

** Modifier 63 is not allowed with 53020.

  • Revenue Code: P5E (Ambulatory Procedures - Other)
  • Payment Status: Active
  • Specialties:Urology
  • Place of Service:Ambulatory Surgical Center, Office, Outpatient Hospital
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