Summary & Overview
CPT 50386: Transurethral Ureteral Stent Removal, Imaging-Guided
CPT code 50386 describes transurethral removal of an internally dwelling ureteral stent performed with imaging guidance and without endoscopic instrumentation. This code captures a common urologic procedure used to extract temporary stents placed to maintain ureteral patency after stone disease, obstruction, or reconstructive surgery. Nationally, accurate coding for this procedure matters for provider billing, payer policy alignment, and tracking utilization of imaging-guided, non-endoscopic genitourinary procedures.
Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. The publication provides clinicians, billing professionals, and policy analysts with practical benchmarks and policy context relevant to CPT code 50386.
Readers will learn the clinical and procedural context for CPT code 50386, typical sites of service where the procedure is performed, common payer considerations, and where to find relevant benchmarks and policy updates. If specific payer policies, reimbursement benchmarks, or associated diagnosis mappings are required, this publication identifies where those data are available or notes when input data are not provided.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 50386 describes removal of an internally dwelling ureteral stent using a transurethral approach with imaging guidance, performed without use of an endoscope. This procedure involves accessing the ureteral stent via the urethra and confirming or guiding removal with imaging such as fluoroscopy or plain radiography.
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Service type: Ureteral stent removal with imaging guidance (non-endoscopic transurethral procedure)
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Typical site of service: Ambulatory surgical center or hospital outpatient department; may also be performed in an imaging or procedure suite in a clinic setting when appropriate.
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.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
00 | No modifier required / standard | Use when no other modifier applies and service is billed normally |