Kidney and Ureter Procedures for Non-Neoplasm with CC DRG Reimbursement

DRG 660 addresses inpatient kidney and ureter procedures for non-neoplastic conditions when a Complication or Comorbidity is present, encompassing interventions such as stone extraction and ureteral stenting complicated by additional medical issues. It matters for inpatient reimbursement because the Complication or Comorbidity designation increases the relative weight and associated Medicare payment to account for greater resource needs.

DRG 660 Overview

DRG 660 covers inpatient admissions for kidney and ureter procedures performed for non-neoplastic indications when a Complication or Comorbidity is present. Typical cases include endoscopic stone removal, ureteral stenting, and other urinary tract interventions complicated by infection, hemorrhage, or other medical conditions that increase resource use. This Diagnosis-Related Group is important for Medicare payment because the presence of a Complication or Comorbidity elevates relative payment compared with cases without such comorbidities, reflecting higher expected inpatient resource consumption.

Acute surgical technique and perioperative management studies: randomized or prospective cohort studies comparing different surgical approaches (open, laparoscopic, or endoscopic/ureteroscopic) and perioperative protocols for non-neoplastic kidney and ureter procedures (eg, stone extraction, ureteral repair, reconstruction after obstruction). These trials enroll adult inpatients requiring operative intervention for obstructive uropathy, complicated stones, traumatic injury, or benign strictures, and measure short-term outcomes such as operative time, blood loss, complication rates, length of stay, and need for reoperation. Evidence from these studies informs surgeons and hospital administrators about strategies that reduce complications and inpatient resource use, helping payers and providers optimize care pathways and reimbursement appropriateness for DRG 660 admissions.
Comparative effectiveness and device evaluation studies in endourology: pragmatic trials and registries comparing newer endourologic tools and adjuncts (eg, laser technologies, ureteral access sheaths, stent designs, or stone fragment retrieval systems) versus standard devices in patients undergoing kidney or ureter procedures for benign disease. These studies focus on heterogeneous inpatient populations with varied stone burden, infection risk, or ureteral pathology, assessing clinical endpoints such as stone-free rate, infection/sepsis incidence, need for secondary procedures, and hospital resource utilization. Results are directly relevant for clinicians deciding device use and for payers evaluating device-related costs, procedure coding, and value-based purchasing for admissions classified under this DRG.
Post-discharge outcomes and readmission prevention research: observational cohorts and interventional studies testing discharge protocols, early outpatient follow-up, antibiotic stewardship, or care-coordination interventions to reduce 30-day readmissions and complications after hospital-based kidney and ureter procedures for non-neoplastic conditions. These studies typically include patients at higher risk because of comorbidities (eg, diabetes, CKD), infected stones, or prolonged hospital stays, and track readmission causes, emergency visits, and total post-acute care costs. Findings guide hospitals and payers in designing transitions-of-care programs and bundled payment strategies to lower preventable readmissions and improve cost-effectiveness for DRG 660 patients.

Acute surgical technique and perioperative management studies: randomized or prospective cohort studies comparing different surgical approaches (open, laparoscopic, or endoscopic/ureteroscopic) and perioperative protocols for non-neoplastic kidney and ureter procedures (eg, stone extraction, ureteral repair, reconstruction after obstruction). These trials enroll adult inpatients requiring operative intervention for obstructive uropathy, complicated stones, traumatic injury, or benign strictures, and measure short-term outcomes such as operative time, blood loss, complication rates, length of stay, and need for reoperation. Evidence from these studies informs surgeons and hospital administrators about strategies that reduce complications and inpatient resource use, helping payers and providers optimize care pathways and reimbursement appropriateness for DRG 660 admissions.
Comparative effectiveness and device evaluation studies in endourology: pragmatic trials and registries comparing newer endourologic tools and adjuncts (eg, laser technologies, ureteral access sheaths, stent designs, or stone fragment retrieval systems) versus standard devices in patients undergoing kidney or ureter procedures for benign disease. These studies focus on heterogeneous inpatient populations with varied stone burden, infection risk, or ureteral pathology, assessing clinical endpoints such as stone-free rate, infection/sepsis incidence, need for secondary procedures, and hospital resource utilization. Results are directly relevant for clinicians deciding device use and for payers evaluating device-related costs, procedure coding, and value-based purchasing for admissions classified under this DRG.
Post-discharge outcomes and readmission prevention research: observational cohorts and interventional studies testing discharge protocols, early outpatient follow-up, antibiotic stewardship, or care-coordination interventions to reduce 30-day readmissions and complications after hospital-based kidney and ureter procedures for non-neoplastic conditions. These studies typically include patients at higher risk because of comorbidities (eg, diabetes, CKD), infected stones, or prolonged hospital stays, and track readmission causes, emergency visits, and total post-acute care costs. Findings guide hospitals and payers in designing transitions-of-care programs and bundled payment strategies to lower preventable readmissions and improve cost-effectiveness for DRG 660 patients.

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Summary & Overview

Kidney and Ureter Procedures for Non-Neoplasm with CC: Inpatient Reimbursement Overview

DRG 660 Overview

Clinical Trials

Related Codes

Clinical Trials

Related Codes