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Official Description

Placement of nephroureteral catheter, percutaneous, including diagnostic nephrostogram and/or ureterogram when performed, imaging guidance (eg, ultrasound and/or fluoroscopy) and all associated radiological supervision and interpretation, new access

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 50433 refers to the percutaneous placement of a nephroureteral catheter, which is a specialized procedure aimed at addressing urinary obstructions. This obstruction may arise from various causes, including the presence of stones, tumors, or strictures within the urinary tract. The procedure is also utilized for diagnostic purposes, allowing healthcare providers to assess urinary conditions, facilitate therapeutic interventions, or divert urine in cases of traumatic injury, leaks, fistulas, or hemorrhagic cystitis. The placement of the catheter is performed using imaging guidance, such as ultrasound and/or fluoroscopy, to ensure accurate positioning and minimize complications. The procedure may involve either a single or double needle technique, with careful insertion below the 12th rib to avoid damaging surrounding structures, such as the pleura. The process includes aspirating urine to confirm the correct location, injecting contrast dye for visualization, and ultimately placing a self-restraining catheter to maintain access to the urinary system. This code encompasses all aspects of the procedure, including the imaging guidance and the necessary radiological supervision and interpretation, ensuring comprehensive care for patients experiencing urinary tract issues.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure associated with CPT® Code 50433 is indicated for several specific conditions and scenarios that necessitate the placement of a nephroureteral catheter. These indications include:

  • Urinary Obstruction - The procedure is performed to alleviate urinary obstruction caused by the presence of stones, tumors, or strictures within the urinary tract.
  • Diagnostic Purposes - It is utilized to diagnose various urinary conditions, providing essential information for further management.
  • Access for Therapeutic Interventions - The catheter placement allows for access to the urinary system for therapeutic procedures, which may be necessary for treatment.
  • Urine Diversion - The procedure is indicated in cases where urine diversion is required due to traumatic injury, leaks, fistulas, or hemorrhagic cystitis.

2. Procedure

The procedure for CPT® Code 50433 involves several critical steps to ensure successful placement of the nephroureteral catheter. The following procedural steps are performed:

  • Step 1: Preparation and Imaging Guidance - The procedure begins with the patient positioned appropriately, and imaging guidance is established using ultrasound and/or fluoroscopy. This imaging is crucial for visualizing the urinary tract and guiding the catheter placement accurately.
  • Step 2: Needle Insertion - A single trocar or Chiba needle is inserted below the 12th rib, which is strategically chosen to minimize the risk of puncturing the pleura. The needle is advanced into the posterior mid or lower pole calyx of the kidney.
  • Step 3: Verification of Location - Once the needle is in place, urine is aspirated to confirm the correct location within the urinary system. This step is essential for decompressing the system and ensuring that the catheter can be placed effectively.
  • Step 4: Contrast Injection and Imaging - After confirming the location, contrast dye is injected through the needle, and a series of X-rays are taken to visualize the movement of the dye through the urinary tract. This imaging helps to assess the anatomy and any potential obstructions.
  • Step 5: Catheter Placement - Once satisfactory placement of the needle is established, a thin wire is threaded through the needle into the proximal ureter (for nephroureteral catheter placement) or into the upper pole of the calyx (for nephrostomy). A self-restraining nephrostomy or nephroureteral catheter is then inserted over the wire, and the wire is subsequently removed.
  • Step 6: Double Needle Technique (if applicable) - In cases where a double needle technique is employed, the first needle is inserted directly into the renal pelvis, and contrast dye is injected to obtain additional X-ray images. A small amount of air or CO2 may be injected after the contrast to enhance visualization of the posterior calyces. A clamp is applied to the skin to mark the entry site for the second needle, which is placed under the 12th rib in the posterior axillary line. The insertion of the second needle and catheter placement follows the same procedure as the single needle technique, and the first needle is removed at the end of the procedure.

3. Post-Procedure

After the completion of the nephroureteral catheter placement procedure, several post-procedure care considerations are essential for patient safety and recovery. Patients are typically monitored for any immediate complications, such as bleeding or infection at the catheter insertion site. The catheter may require regular maintenance and monitoring to ensure proper function and to prevent obstruction. Patients may also need follow-up imaging studies to assess the effectiveness of the catheter placement and to monitor for any changes in the urinary tract. Instructions regarding catheter care, signs of complications, and follow-up appointments should be provided to the patient to ensure optimal recovery and management of their urinary condition.

Short Descr PLMT NEPHROURETERAL CATHETER
Medium Descr PLMT NEPHROURETERAL CATH PRQ NEW ACCESS RS&I
Long Descr Placement of nephroureteral catheter, percutaneous, including diagnostic nephrostogram and/or ureterogram when performed, imaging guidance (eg, ultrasound and/or fluoroscopy) and all associated radiological supervision and interpretation, new access
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 Hospital Part B services paid through a comprehensive APC
ASC Payment Indicator Non office-based surgical procedure added in CY 2008 or later; payment based on OPPS relative payment weight.
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) I1F - Standard imaging - other
MUE 2

This is a primary code that can be used with these additional add-on codes.

50606 Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 Endoluminal biopsy of ureter and/or renal pelvis, non-endoscopic, including imaging guidance (eg, ultrasound and/or fluoroscopy) and all associated radiological supervision and interpretation (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
50705 Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 Ureteral embolization or occlusion, including imaging guidance (eg, ultrasound and/or fluoroscopy) and all associated radiological supervision and interpretation (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
50706 Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 Balloon dilation, ureteral stricture, including imaging guidance (eg, ultrasound and/or fluoroscopy) and all associated radiological supervision and interpretation (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
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).
X5 Diagnostic services requested by another clinician: for reporting services by a clinician who furnishes care to the patient only as requested by another clinician or subsequent and related services requested by another clinician; this modifier is reported for patient relationships that may not be adequately captured by the above alternative categories; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the radiologist's interpretation of an imaging study requested by another clinician
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
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).
X4 Episodic/focused services: for reporting services by clinicians who provide focused care on particular types of treatment limited to a defined period and circumstance; the patient has a problem, acute or chronic, that will be treated with surgery, radiation, or some other type of generally time-limited intervention; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the orthopedic surgeon performing a knee replacement and seeing the patient through the postoperative period
22 Increased procedural services: when the work required to provide a service is substantially greater than typically required, it may be identified by adding modifier 22 to the usual procedure code. documentation must support the substantial additional work and the reason for the additional work (ie, increased intensity, time, technical difficulty of procedure, severity of patient's condition, physical and mental effort required). note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
52 Reduced services: under certain circumstances a service or procedure is partially reduced or eliminated at the discretion of the physician or other qualified health care professional. under these circumstances the service provided can be identified by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 52, signifying that the service is reduced. this provides a means of reporting reduced services without disturbing the identification of the basic service. note: for hospital outpatient reporting of a previously scheduled procedure/service that is partially reduced or cancelled as a result of extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well-being of the patient prior to or after administration of anesthesia, see modifiers 73 and 74 (see modifiers approved for asc hospital outpatient use).
53 Discontinued procedure: under certain circumstances, the physician or other qualified health care professional may elect to terminate a surgical or diagnostic procedure. due to extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient, it may be necessary to indicate that a surgical or diagnostic procedure was started but discontinued. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 53 to the code reported by the individual for the discontinued procedure. note: this modifier is not used to report the elective cancellation of a procedure prior to the patient's anesthesia induction and/or surgical preparation in the operating suite. for outpatient hospital/ambulatory surgery center (asc) reporting of a previously scheduled procedure/service that is partially reduced or cancelled as a result of extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient prior to or after administration of anesthesia, see modifiers 73 and 74 (see modifiers approved for asc hospital outpatient use).
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.)
AG Primary physician
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
GV Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
Q6 Service furnished under a fee-for-time compensation arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area
XE Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter
XP Separate practitioner, a service that is distinct because it was performed by a different practitioner
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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2017-01-01 Changed Moderate (Conscious) Sedation flag removed. See new Moderate Sedation category.
2016-01-01 Added Added
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