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Question: My urologist says he put in ureteral stents for another physician during a diverticulitis surgery. The physician stated these were French whistle tip stents. Am I correct in my understanding that these are not indwelling ureteral stents and should be reported as 52005 (Cystourethroscopy, with ureteral catheterization, with or without irrigation, instillation, or ureteropyelography, exclusive of radiologic service) and should not be coded as 52332 (Cystourethroscopy, with insertion of indwelling ureteral stent (eg, Gibbons or double-J type))? I鈥檓 relatively new to urology coding and appreciate the help.

Illinois Subscriber

Answer: The French whistle tip stents are classified as ureteral catheters, not as double-J stents. If these were inserted before the surgery, the appropriate billing code for the placement of bilateral stents for Medicare patients would be 52005. For non-Medicare carriers, you should also bill 52005, but be sure to add modifier 50 (Bilateral procedure) for the placement of bilateral ureteral catheters to avoid a claim denial.

Lindsey Bush, BA, MA, CPC, Development Editor, AAPC