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The procedure described by CPT® Code 51720 involves the bladder instillation of an anticarcinogenic agent, which is a substance used to prevent or treat cancer within the bladder. This procedure is performed following the manufacturer's specific instructions for the preparation of the anticarcinogenic agent. Initially, the urethral orifice, which is the external opening of the urethra, is thoroughly cleansed to minimize the risk of infection. A catheter, a thin flexible tube, is then carefully inserted through the urethra and advanced into the bladder. Prior to instillation, the bladder is drained of any urine to ensure that the anticarcinogenic agent can be effectively administered without dilution. Once the bladder is prepared, the anticarcinogenic agent is instilled through the catheter. After the instillation, the catheter is removed, and the patient is repositioned to facilitate the distribution of the agent across all surfaces of the bladder. This repositioning involves the patient rotating periodically from the right side to the back, then to the left side, and finally to the stomach, ensuring comprehensive contact with the bladder lining. The retention time for the agent in the bladder may last up to 2 hours, allowing for optimal therapeutic effect. Upon completion of the treatment period, the patient is instructed to empty the bladder into the toilet, effectively concluding the procedure.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The bladder instillation of an anticarcinogenic agent, as described by CPT® Code 51720, is indicated for the treatment or prevention of bladder cancer. This procedure is typically performed in patients who have a history of superficial bladder tumors or those at high risk for recurrence. The instillation aims to deliver therapeutic agents directly to the bladder lining, where they can exert their effects on cancerous cells or prevent the development of new tumors.
The procedure for bladder instillation of an anticarcinogenic agent involves several key steps that ensure the effective delivery of the treatment. First, the healthcare provider prepares the anticarcinogenic agent according to the manufacturer's instructions, ensuring that the solution is ready for instillation. Next, the urethral orifice is cleansed thoroughly to reduce the risk of introducing bacteria into the bladder during the procedure. Following this, a catheter is carefully inserted through the urethra and advanced into the bladder. Once the catheter is in place, the bladder is drained of any urine to create an optimal environment for the instillation of the anticarcinogenic agent. The prepared agent is then instilled into the bladder through the catheter. After the instillation, the catheter is removed, and the patient is repositioned to facilitate the distribution of the agent. The patient rotates periodically from the right side to the back, then to the left side, and finally to the stomach, ensuring that the anticarcinogenic agent comes into contact with all surfaces of the bladder. This repositioning is crucial for maximizing the therapeutic effect of the agent. The retention time for the agent in the bladder is typically up to 2 hours, allowing sufficient time for the agent to act on the bladder lining. Upon completion of the treatment period, the patient is instructed to empty the bladder into the toilet, effectively concluding the procedure.
After the bladder instillation procedure, patients may be monitored for any immediate adverse reactions to the anticarcinogenic agent. It is important for patients to follow any specific post-procedure instructions provided by their healthcare provider, which may include recommendations for hydration and monitoring for any unusual symptoms. Patients are typically advised to avoid strenuous activities for a short period following the procedure. Additionally, they may be instructed to report any signs of complications, such as persistent pain, bleeding, or changes in urination. The expected recovery time is generally quick, with most patients able to resume normal activities shortly after the procedure, depending on individual circumstances and the specific agent used.
| Short Descr | TREATMENT OF BLADDER LESION | Medium Descr | BLADDER INSTILLATION ANTICARCINOGENIC AGENT | Long Descr | Bladder instillation of anticarcinogenic agent (including retention time) | 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) | 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does NOT apply. | 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 | 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) | P7B - Oncology - other | MUE | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 224 - Cancer chemotherapy |
| 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). | 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. | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service | 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. | 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.) | XE | Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | GA | Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case | Q1 | Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study | CR | Catastrophe/disaster related | 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. | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure | GW | Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition | 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.) | 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). | 80 | Assistant surgeon: surgical assistant services may be identified by adding modifier 80 to the usual procedure number(s). | AG | Primary physician | AQ | Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa) | AS | Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery | CC | Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed) | GV | Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider | GY | Item or service statutorily excluded, does not meet the definition of any medicare benefit or, for non-medicare insurers, is not a contract benefit | GZ | Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary | JZ | Zero drug amount discarded/not administered to any patient | 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 | PN | Non-excepted service provided at an off-campus, outpatient, provider-based department of a hospital | Q0 | Investigational clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study | 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 | QJ | Services/items provided to a prisoner or patient in state or local custody, however the state or local government, as applicable, meets the requirements in 42 cfr 411.4 (b) | RT | Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body) | SA | Nurse practitioner rendering service in collaboration with a physician | SG | Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service | XP | Separate practitioner, a service that is distinct because it was performed by a different practitioner |
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| 2007-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| 1990-01-01 | Added | Code added. |
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