Summary & Overview
CPT 50080: Percutaneous Antegrade Renal Stone Removal, Simple
CPT code 50080 denotes a percutaneous antegrade procedure to remove one or more stones from the kidney or renal pelvis using imaging guidance; it may include placement of a stent and nephrostomy tube and is described as a simple procedure. Nationally, this code captures a common urologic intervention for nephrolithiasis that has implications for facility resource use, imaging utilization, and postprocedure device management. Key payers addressed in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare.
Readers will find a concise overview of clinical context and procedural elements tied to CPT code 50080, payer coverage patterns and common modifiers, and benchmarking where available. The publication also summarizes coding nuances, expected sites of service (hospital OR or interventional radiology suite), and operational considerations such as typical adjuncts (stent and nephrostomy tube placement). Data not available in the input is noted where applicable. This resource is intended for coding, billing, and policy stakeholders seeking a national-level briefing on use and administrative handling of CPT code 50080.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 50080 describes a percutaneous antegrade removal of one or more kidney or renal pelvis stones. The procedure involves accessing the kidney through the skin (antegrade or “downhill” approach) under imaging guidance to extract stones; placement of a ureteral stent and a nephrostomy tube may be performed as part of the service. This is classified as a simple percutaneous nephrolithotomy/stone removal procedure.
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Service type: Percutaneous antegrade renal stone extraction
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Typical site of service: Hospital operating room or interventional radiology suite (percutaneous/inpatient or outpatient procedural setting)
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 54-year-old male presents with acute flank pain, hematuria, and imaging demonstrating a 1.8 cm obstructing renal pelvic stone in the right kidney with hydronephrosis. Conservative measures and extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy were either contraindicated or unsuccessful. The urology team schedules a percutaneous antegrade stone removal under fluoroscopic and ultrasound guidance. In the procedural workflow the patient undergoes pre-procedure anesthesia evaluation (typically general or monitored anesthesia care), sterile percutaneous access to the renal collecting system is obtained, dilators and sheaths are placed, and the stone(s) are fragmented and removed through an antegrade tract. A ureteral stent and/or percutaneous nephrostomy tube may be placed at the conclusion for drainage. Post-procedure recovery includes monitoring for bleeding, infection, and urine output; analgesia; and an imaging or follow-up visit to assess stent or tube removal.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
11 | Normal or uncomplicated procedure | Use when the procedure proceeds without unusual events or complications and reflects routine performance. |
22 | Increased procedural services |