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Reader Questions: Follow the Laser to Find the TURP Code

Question: What is the most appropriate code to report when the urologist documents "green-light TURP"?

North Carolina Subscriber

Answer: You should use 52648 (Laser vaporization of prostate, including control of postoperative bleeding, complete [vasectomy, meatotomy, cystourethroscopy, urethral calibration and/or dilation, internal urethrotomy and transurethral resection of prostate are included if performed]: APC 0429) for the green-light TURP procedure.

In most cases, the diagnosis code you鈥檒l report for the procedure will be 600.01 (Hypertrophy [benign] of prostate with urinary obstruction). Various payers may accept additional diagnoses, such as 222.2 (Benign neoplasm of prostate), 600.11 (Nodular prostate with urinary obstruction) and additional 600.xx diagnoses. Ask your individual payer for a list of allowable indications.

Remember: You must always choose a diagnosis based on the available documentation rather than automatically selecting the diagnosis that will get you paid.