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Official Description

Placement of ureteral stent, 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, with separate nephrostomy catheter

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Common Language Description

The procedure described by CPT® Code 50695 involves the percutaneous placement of a ureteral stent, which is a medical device used to relieve urinary obstruction. This obstruction may be caused by various conditions such as kidney stones, tumors, or strictures that impede the normal flow of urine. The procedure can also serve diagnostic purposes, allowing healthcare providers to assess urinary conditions, and it provides access for therapeutic interventions. Additionally, it can be utilized to divert urine in cases of traumatic injury, leaks, fistulas, or hemorrhagic cystitis. The placement of the stent is performed under imaging guidance, which may include ultrasound and/or fluoroscopy, ensuring precise positioning and minimizing complications. The procedure may also involve the insertion of a separate nephrostomy catheter, which is a tube that allows urine to drain from the kidney directly to an external collection bag. This comprehensive approach includes all necessary radiological supervision and interpretation, as well as any diagnostic imaging such as nephrostograms or ureterograms that may be required during the procedure.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The placement of a ureteral stent via CPT® Code 50695 is indicated for several specific conditions and scenarios, including:

  • Urinary Obstruction - This procedure is performed to alleviate blockages in the urinary tract caused by kidney stones, tumors, or strictures.
  • Diagnostic Purposes - It may be utilized to diagnose various urinary conditions that require further investigation.
  • Access for Therapeutic Interventions - The stent provides necessary access for subsequent therapeutic procedures aimed at treating urinary tract issues.
  • Urine Diversion - In cases of traumatic injury, leaks, fistulas, or hemorrhagic cystitis, the stent can help divert urine away from affected areas.

2. Procedure

The procedure for the placement of a ureteral stent involves several critical steps, which are detailed as follows:

  • 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 ensures accurate placement of the stent and minimizes the risk of complications.
  • Step 2: Needle Insertion - A single trocar or Chiba needle is inserted below the 12th rib to access the renal pelvis. This approach is chosen to reduce the risk of puncturing the pleura. The needle is advanced carefully, and urine is aspirated to confirm the correct location and decompress the renal system.
  • Step 3: Contrast Injection and Imaging - Once the needle placement is verified, contrast dye is injected into the renal pelvis. A series of X-rays are taken to visualize the movement of the dye through the urinary tract, confirming the patency of the system.
  • Step 4: Guidewire Placement - A thin guidewire is threaded through the needle into the renal pelvis and advanced down the ureter into the bladder, providing a pathway for the stent.
  • Step 5: Stent Insertion - The ureteral stent is then inserted over the guidewire and advanced into position. The proximal end of the stent is coiled within the renal pelvis, while the distal pigtail is positioned in the bladder. If a separate nephrostomy catheter is not placed, the proximal end of the stent may remain outside the body or lie entirely within the renal system.
  • Step 6: Nephrostomy Catheter Placement (if applicable) - If a separate nephrostomy catheter is indicated, it is threaded over the guidewire into the upper pole of the calyx, with the end of the catheter positioned outside the body. This step is crucial for patients requiring additional drainage.
  • Step 7: 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 imaging. A second needle is then placed under the 12th rib, and the insertion of the stent and catheter follows the same protocol as the single needle technique.

3. Post-Procedure

After the procedure, patients are monitored for any immediate complications. Expected recovery may vary based on individual circumstances, but patients are generally advised to follow up with their healthcare provider to assess the effectiveness of the stent placement and to monitor for any potential complications. Additional imaging may be required to ensure proper placement and function of the stent and nephrostomy catheter, if applicable. Patients should also be informed about signs of infection or other issues that may necessitate prompt medical attention.

Short Descr PLMT URETERAL STENT PRQ
Medium Descr PLMT URTRL STENT PRQ NEW ACCESS W/SEP NFROS CATH
Long Descr Placement of ureteral stent, 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, with separate nephrostomy catheter
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) I4B - Imaging/procedure - 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)
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.
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).
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).
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).
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.
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.)
80 Assistant surgeon: surgical assistant services may be identified by adding modifier 80 to the usual procedure number(s).
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
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
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
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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