Summary & Overview
CPT 0582T: Transurethral Water Vapor Thermal Ablation of Prostate Malignancy
CPT code 0582T represents an image-guided, transurethral radiofrequency–generated water vapor thermal ablation procedure to destroy malignant prostate tissue. As an emerging interventional treatment for prostate cancer, the code captures a targeted, device-assisted intraoperative therapy that may affect surgical practice, device utilization, and payer coverage decisions nationwide.
Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of clinical context and procedure intent, benchmarks for coverage and reimbursement where available, typical sites of service, and implications for coding and billing workflows. The publication summarizes policy updates relevant to the procedure code, highlights common modifiers and billing considerations, and outlines expected documentation elements tied to intraoperative imaging and needle guidance.
The content is designed for healthcare billing managers, surgical service line leaders, and compliance teams seeking a national-level briefing on coding, payer coverage patterns, and operational impacts associated with CPT code 0582T. Data not available in the input are identified explicitly.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 0582T describes a procedure in which the provider uses a radiofrequency–generated water vapor thermal device inserted through the urethra to destroy malignant prostate tissue under intraoperative imaging and needle guidance.
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Service type: Image-guided transurethral water vapor thermal ablation of prostate malignancy
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Typical site of service: Hospital outpatient department or ambulatory surgical center, performed intraoperatively with imaging and needle guidance
Data not available in the input for associated taxonomies, ICD-10 diagnoses, and related codes.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient is a 68-year-old male with known localized prostate cancer who presents for focal transurethral ablation using a radiofrequency–generated water vapor thermal device. The patient has undergone preoperative staging with multiparametric pelvic MRI and targeted transrectal or transperineal prostate biopsy confirming a localized lesion amenable to focal therapy. Pre-procedure evaluation includes history and physical, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) trending, review of imaging to localize malignant tissue, anesthesia assessment, and informed consent explaining that the device is inserted through the urethra under intraoperative imaging and needle guidance to ablate malignant tissue.
The clinical workflow: the patient is brought to an operating room or procedure suite with fluoroscopy/ultrasound and cystoscopic equipment. Under regional or general anesthesia, a cystoscope or transurethral access sheath is placed. Intraoperative imaging (transrectal ultrasound or fluoroscopy) and needle guidance are used to position the RF-generated water vapor applicator into targeted prostate zones. The provider delivers thermal water vapor doses to destroy malignant tissue while monitoring needle position and tissue effect. The procedure may include intraoperative biopsy confirmation, hemostasis, and placement of a urinary catheter for short-term drainage. Postoperative recovery involves observation, voiding trial, PSA monitoring, and follow-up imaging or biopsy as indicated.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
22 |