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    OpenPayerBilling CodesInternally Dwelling Renal Pelvis Catheter Introduction ProceduresCPT cpt-50386-ureteral-stent-removal-transurethral-imaging-guided
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    CPT 50386: Transurethral Removal of Indwelling Ureteral Stent with Imaging Guidance

    Medicare pays $785 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 50386 describes transurethral removal of an indwelling ureteral stent using imaging guidance without endoscopic instrumentation; this is a stent removal procedure typically performed as an interventional radiology/ambulatory urology service and is commonly provided in an ambulatory surgical center or hospital outpatient setting under conscious sedation or local anesthesia.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Vafseo (vadadustat) for anemia in CKD on dialysis, Metabolic Disorders - Cysteamine (Oral) Products for Individual and Family Plans, Kerendia (finerenone) — Coverage Criteria.

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A typical patient is an adult with an indwelling ureteral stent placed previously for ureteral obstruction, stone management, or after ureteral surgery. The patient presents for removal of the internal ureteral stent because the indication for stenting has resolved or the planned dwell time has elapsed. The procedure is performed in an outpatient procedure room, ambulatory surgery center, or hospital minor procedure area. The provider performs a transurethral removal using cystoscopic or fluoroscopic imaging guidance without insertion of a flexible or rigid endoscope into the ureteral lumen for active instrumentation; fluoroscopy or plain radiography may be used to confirm stent position and removal. Typical workflow: pre-procedure evaluation and informed consent, review of prior imaging and stent type, local or monitored anesthesia as indicated, positioning and sterile preparation, transurethral access to the bladder, visualization or imaging confirmation of the distal stent curl, retrieval using grasping device or snare under imaging guidance, verification of complete removal, post-procedure observation for urinary symptoms or hematuria, and discharge with follow-up instructions.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    52310Cystourethroscopy, with removal of foreign body (e.g., ureteral stent) without ureteroscopyAlternative code when cystoscopic direct visualization and removal is performed using an endoscope in the bladder
    52332Cystourethroscopy with ureteroscopy, with removal of ureteral stent from ureter and/or renal pelvis, with or without fluoroscopic guidanceUsed when ureteroscopy is performed and the stent is removed with instrumentation into the ureter/renal pelvis rather than solely transurethrally under imaging guidance
    76000Fluoroscopy (separate procedure), 1st imageImaging component that may be reported when fluoroscopic imaging guidance is provided and billed separately (subject to payer policy)
    51701Internal urethral catheterization, simple (e.g., for bladder drainage)May be performed before or after stent removal to drain the bladder or assess urine output
    51702Complex catheterization, including dilation and/or exchangeMay be performed if catheterization is required for access or exchange related to stent management

    Related Modifiers

    9 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    22Modifier –22 (Increased Procedural Services) is used when a reported procedure is substantially more extensive than normally required. The CPT Manual and CMS state it may be appended only when the…- When to use: Append modifier -22 to a procedural CPT code when the service performed is substantially more extensive than the usual service described by that code — i.e., the procedure required…
    23Modifier -23 (Unusual Anesthesia) is used on anesthesia service CPT codes when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia…- Use modifier -23 only on anesthesia CPT codes (00100–01999) when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia because of…
    52Modifier ‑52 (Reduced Services) indicates that a service or procedure was partially reduced or omitted at the provider’s discretion, allowing reporting of the basic procedure number with a qualifier…- Use modifier -52 when a physician or qualified health professional electively reduces or omits part of a procedure or service (for example, performing fewer required views or omitting a portion of…
    53Modifier 53 (Discontinued Procedure) signals that a surgical or diagnostic service was begun by the physician but terminated because of extenuating circumstances that threatened the patient’s…- Use modifier -53 when a physician/qualified healthcare professional has started a surgical or diagnostic procedure (e.g., anesthesia administered, incision or scope insertion) and then discontinues…
    76Modifier -76, Repeat Procedure or Service by Same Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional, is appended when the same provider performs an identical, medically necessary procedure or…- Use modifier -76 when the same physician or other qualified health care professional performs an identical procedure or service a second (or subsequent) time on the same date of service and the…
    78CPT modifier -78 indicates an unplanned, related return to the operating or procedure room by the same provider during the global postoperative period. It is appended when treatment for a…- Use modifier -78 when an unplanned, related complication during the original procedure’s global postoperative period requires the patient to return to a formal operating or procedure room and the…
    80CPT® Modifier 80 (Assistant Surgeon) is appended to a surgical CPT code when a physician (MD or DO) provides full, continuous assistance throughout the operative procedure. It is intended only for…- Use CPT Modifier -80 when a physician (MD or DO) serves as an assistant surgeon and provides full, continuous assistance throughout the entire operative procedure; append -80 to the surgical CPT…
    62Modifier 62 indicates that two surgeons function as co‑surgeons, each performing distinct parts of the same primary surgical procedure. It is appended to the primary procedure code (and any…- Use modifier -62 when two surgeons act as co‑surgeons (both primary surgeons) on a single definitive primary procedure, each performing distinct parts of the same surgical procedure (append -62 to…
    26Modifier 26 (Professional Component) identifies and bills only the professional portion of a split service — the physician’s interpretation, report, and medical judgment — when the technical…- Use CPT Modifier -26 when you are billing only the professional component (PC) of a split‑bill eligible service—i.e., you performed the physician interpretation, medical judgment and prepared a…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    208000000X
    208800000X
    363L00000X
    207L00000X
    207RX0202X
    174200000X
    152WS0006X
    2088P0231X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    29 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    N11.9Chronic tubulo-interstitial nephritis, unspecified
    N13.1Hydronephrosis with ureteral stricture, not elsewhere classified
    N13.6Pyonephrosis
    N20.0Calculus of kidney
    N20.1Calculus of ureter
    N20.2Calculus of kidney with calculus of ureter
    N20.9Urinary calculus, unspecified
    N21.0Calculus in bladder
    N21.1Calculus in urethra
    N23Unspecified renal colic

    Showing 1–10 of 29

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Nephrology1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Vafseo (vadadustat) for anemia in CKD on dialysisCigna2026-08-15
    Metabolic Disorders - Cysteamine (Oral) Products for Individual and Family PlansCigna2026-08-15
    Kerendia (finerenone) — Coverage CriteriaBlue Cross Blue Shield - Iowa2026-08-05
    Voyxact (sibeprenlimab-szsl) — Prior authorization / medical necessity for primary IgA nephropathyColorado Rocky Mountain Health Plans2026-08-01
    Oxlumo (lumasiran) and Rivfloza (nedosiran) — Coverage Criteria (Ohio)Colorado Rocky Mountain Health Plans2026-08-01
    Korsuva (difelikefalin) — Medical Benefit Drug Coverage Criteria (Ohio)Colorado Rocky Mountain Health Plans2026-08-01
    Complement Inhibitors - EmpaveliCigna2026-08-01
    Tolvaptan (Jynarque)Cigna2026-08-01
    Nephrology - Filspari (sparsentan) coverageCigna2026-08-01
    Rivfloza (nedosiran) prior authorization for PH1UnitedHealthcare2026-08-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-50382-PERCUTANEOUS-URETERAL-STENT-REMOVAL-REPLACEMENT

    CPT 50382: Percutaneous Ureteral Stent Removal and Replacement

    CPT-50384-PERCUTANEOUS-URETERAL-STENT-REMOVAL-IMAGE-GUIDED

    CPT 50384: Percutaneous Ureteral Stent Removal with Imaging Guidance

    CPT-50385-URETERAL-STENT-REMOVAL-REPLACEMENT-TRANSURETHRAL-IMAGE-GUIDED

    CPT 50385: Transurethral Ureteral Stent Removal and Replacement

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
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