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The procedure described by CPT® Code 50391 involves the instillation of a therapeutic agent directly into the renal pelvis and/or ureter. This is accomplished through an established nephrostomy, pyelostomy, or ureterostomy tube. The therapeutic agents used in this procedure can include anticarcinogenic agents, which are designed to treat cancer, or antifungal agents that target infections such as those caused by Candida albicans. The procedure is typically indicated for patients with malignancies affecting the epithelial lining of the urinary tract or for those suffering from fungal infections in the renal pelvis. Prior to the instillation, fluoroscopic guidance may be utilized to confirm the correct positioning of the existing nephrostomy, pyelostomy, or ureterostomy tube. Once the position is verified, the therapeutic agent is prepared in a syringe and connected to the ostomy tube for instillation into the kidney or ureter. After the agent has been administered, it is retained for a specified duration before being drained and disposed of appropriately. Finally, the ostomy tube is reconnected to the drainage system to ensure continued urinary flow.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The procedure described by CPT® Code 50391 is indicated for specific medical conditions that necessitate the direct delivery of therapeutic agents into the renal pelvis and/or ureter. The following are the primary indications for this procedure:
The procedural steps for CPT® Code 50391 are as follows:
Post-procedure care following the instillation of a therapeutic agent through CPT® Code 50391 involves monitoring the patient for any immediate adverse reactions to the agent administered. Patients may be observed for signs of infection or complications related to the urinary tract. It is essential to ensure that the ostomy tube remains patent and properly connected to the drainage system to facilitate normal urinary output. Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to assess the effectiveness of the treatment and to determine if further interventions are necessary. Additionally, patients should be educated on signs and symptoms that may indicate complications, such as fever, increased pain, or changes in urinary output, and advised to seek medical attention if these occur.
| Short Descr | INSTLL RX AGNT INTO RNAL TUB | Medium Descr | INSTLJ THER AGENT RENAL PELVIS&/URETER VIA TUB | Long Descr | Instillation(s) of therapeutic agent into renal pelvis and/or ureter through established nephrostomy, pyelostomy or ureterostomy tube (eg, anticarcinogenic or antifungal agent) | Status Code | Active Code | Global Days | 000 - Endoscopic or Minor Procedure | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 0 - Physician Service Code | Multiple Procedures (51) | 2 - Standard payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply. | Bilateral Surgery (50) | 1 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures applies. | Physician Supervisions | 09 - Concept does not apply. | Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) | 1 - Statutory payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure... | Co-Surgeons (62) | 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Team Surgery (66) | 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Diagnostic Imaging Family | 99 - Concept Does Not Apply | APC Status Indicator | Procedure or Service, Multiple Reduction Applies | ASC Payment Indicator | Office-based surgical procedure added to ASC list in CY 2008 or later with MPFS nonfacility PE RVUs; payment based on MPFS nonfacility PE RVUs. | Type of Service (TOS) | 2 - Surgery | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | P1G - Major procedure - Other | MUE | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 112 - Other OR therapeutic procedures of urinary tract |
| 51 | Multiple procedures: when multiple procedures, other than e/m services, physical medicine and rehabilitation services or provision of supplies (eg, vaccines), are performed at the same session by the same individual, the primary procedure or service may be reported as listed. the additional procedure(s) or service(s) may be identified by appending modifier 51 to the additional procedure or service code(s). note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d). | RT | Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body) | 50 | Bilateral procedure: unless otherwise identified in the listings, bilateral procedures that are performed at the same session, should be identified by adding modifier 50 to the appropriate 5 digit code. note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d). | 58 | Staged or related procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was: (a) planned or anticipated (staged); (b) more extensive than the original procedure; or (c) for therapy following a surgical procedure. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 58 to the staged or related procedure. note: for treatment of a problem that requires a return to the operating/procedure room (eg, unanticipated clinical condition), see modifier 78. | 59 | Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25. | 76 | Repeat procedure or service by same physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was repeated by the same physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 76 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service. | 78 | Unplanned return to the operating/procedure room by the same physician or other qualified health care professional following initial procedure for a related procedure during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that another procedure was performed during the postoperative period of the initial procedure (unplanned procedure following initial procedure). when this procedure is related to the first, and requires the use of an operating/procedure room, it may be reported by adding modifier 78 to the related procedure. (for repeat procedures, see modifier 76.) | 79 | Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: the individual may need to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was unrelated to the original procedure. this circumstance may be reported by using modifier 79. (for repeat procedures on the same day, see modifier 76.) | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | LT | Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body) | PD | Diagnostic or related non diagnostic item or service provided in a wholly owned or operated entity to a patient who is admitted as an inpatient within 3 days | SG | Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service |
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| 2013-01-01 | Changed | Medium Descriptor changed. |
| 2005-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 2005. |
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