Urethral Catheterization
51701: Insertion
of non indwelling bladder catheter
Any
time a urologist passes a urethral catheter into the bladder, drains the
bladder, and removes the catheter. This service pays a 2007 unadjusted Medicare
standard fee of $57.42.
An
example of this would be a straight catheterization to determine a post-void
residual (PVR) urine volume.
51702: Insertion
of a temporary indwelling bladder catheter; simple (Foley)
Any time a urologist places a Foley catheter
and leaves it indwelling, use CPT code 51702
This
service pays a 2007 unadjusted Medicare standard fee of $93.99. This seemingly
high fee includes the office expenses for performing this procedure and also
the cost of the provided Foley catheter.
Do
not charge the patient separately for the catheter or give him a prescription
to purchase a replacement catheter for your office. This would be considered
double billing.
51703: Complicated catheter insertion or removal
If the urologist has difficulty inserting a
catheter because of an anatomic problem (such as a urethral stricture, a false
passage, or a bladder neck contracture) or has difficulty removing an already
indwelling catheter, use CPT code 51703
CPT code 51703 should be used when inserting
the catheter over a guide-wire, using a catheter guide, using a Council tipped
catheter guide, using a Coude catheter, using several decreasing French
numbered sized catheters, or when instilling lubricating jelly into the
urethra-each technique used to accomplish a difficult catheter passage.
These
scenarios all allow for the coding of CPT 51703. Also note that this code is
used when the urologist has difficulty removing a Foley catheter and must cut
the inflation limb or disrupt the catheter balloon for its removal whether or
not a new catheter is placed.
This
service pays an unadjusted Medicare standard fee of $158.79. Remember that the
simple removal of a Foley catheter is included in an E/M service as there is no
particular CPT code for simple catheter removal.
