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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesOther Renal Introduction (Injection/Change/Removal) ProceduresCPT cpt-50391-therapeutic-instillation-renal-pelvis-ureter
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    CPT 50391: Intrarenal/Ureteral Therapeutic Agent Injection

    Medicare pays $130 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 50391 describes injection of a therapeutic agent (for example, anticarcinogenic or antifungal medication) into the renal pelvis and/or ureter through an existing nephrostomy, pyelostomy, or ureterostomy tube; this is a procedural therapeutic instillation typically provided in an inpatient or outpatient hospital setting or interventional radiology suite and is billed as a single targeted instillation service performed via a previously established percutaneous or stoma access tube.

    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 68-year-old male with a long-standing percutaneous nephrostomy tube placed for management of an infected, obstructed kidney from transitional cell carcinoma returns to interventional radiology/urology for instillation of a chemotherapeutic agent into the renal collecting system. The procedure is performed through the existing nephrostomy tube under sterile conditions. The provider confirms tube patency and correct positioning by aspirating urine and, if indicated, injecting a small amount of contrast under fluoroscopy. After confirming access to the renal pelvis and/or proximal ureter, the provider injects the prescribed therapeutic agent (for example, an anticarcinogenic intrapelvic instillation) slowly through the nephrostomy tube. The patient is monitored for pain, signs of systemic absorption/allergic reaction, bleeding, or extravasation. Typical workflow includes verification of indications and consent, review of prior imaging and recent labs (including coagulation status), analgesia or conscious sedation as required, procedure documentation of the agent, dose, volume, dwell time if applicable, and tube clamping or drainage instructions upon completion. Expected sites of service are interventional radiology suite, ambulatory surgery center, or hospital inpatient setting when the nephrostomy/pyelostomy/ureterostomy tube is already in place and the instillation is performed through that preexisting access.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    50392Injection procedure for renal pelvis and/or ureter via a newly placed nephrostomy, pyelostomy, or ureterostomy tube (new tube placement with instillation)May be used when the instillation is performed at the time of initial placement of the drainage tube, rather than through a preexisting tube.
    50380Nephrostomy, percutaneous, with insertion of indwelling catheter (e.g., placement of nephrostomy tube)Commonly performed before or separately from an instillation if tube placement is required prior to delivering therapeutic agent.
    74450Radiologic supervision and interpretation, pyelogram (injection of contrast through nephrostomy)Often performed adjunctively to document catheter position and contrast flow prior to or during instillation under fluoroscopic guidance.
    76937Ultrasound guidance for vascular access and/or therapeutic injection requiring evaluation of position (if ultrasound used to confirm access)May be billed when ultrasound guidance is used to confirm tube position or guide instillation in some clinical workflows.
    90472Immunization administration by intramuscular or subcutaneous route (therapeutic instillation codes vary)Not directly related but listed in some coding algorithms for injection administration services; use caution and follow payer guidance.

    Related Modifiers

    8 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…
    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…
    56Modifier ‑56 indicates the reporting provider furnished only the preoperative management for a surgical procedure and did not perform the intraoperative or postoperative care. It is used in…- Use Modifier -56 when a provider performs only the preoperative management in a split‑care situation (one physician manages preop care while a different physician performs the intraoperative…
    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…
    66Modifier 66 (Surgical Team) is used when three or more surgeons act as primary surgeons on a single, highly complex procedure. The AMA defines it for use when a surgical team — often composed of…- Use modifier 66 when three or more surgeons act as primary surgeons working collaboratively as a surgical team on a single, highly complex or difficult procedure (for example organ…
    73Modifier 73 indicates a facility-level outpatient hospital or ASC procedure that was discontinued after the patient was prepared and taken to the procedure/operating room but before any anesthesia…- When to use: Apply CPT modifier 73 on the FACILITY (outpatient hospital or ASC) claim when the patient has been fully prepared and physically taken into the procedure/operating room but 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…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    363LF0000X
    208000000X
    207P00000X
    313M00000X
    103TH0004X
    175F00000X
    174V00000X
    101Y00000X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    26 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    C64.9Malignant neoplasm of unspecified kidney, except renal pelvis
    C65.9Malignant neoplasm of unspecified renal pelvis
    C66.9Malignant neoplasm of unspecified ureter
    N10Acute pyelonephritis
    N11.0Nonobstructive reflux-associated chronic pyelonephritis
    N11.1Chronic obstructive pyelonephritis
    N11.8Other chronic tubulo-interstitial nephritis
    N12Tubulo-interstitial nephritis, not specified as acute or chronic
    N13.30Unspecified hydronephrosis
    N13.39Other hydronephrosis

    Showing 1–10 of 26

    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-50390-RENAL-CYST-ASPIRATION-SCLEROTHERAPY

    CPT 50390: Renal Cyst Aspiration with Sclerotherapy

    CPT-50396-URETERAL-NEPHROSTOMY-PYELOSTOMY-PRESSURE-MEASUREMENT

    CPT 50396: Ureteral/Nephrostomy Tube Pressure Measurement

    CPT-50436-PERCUTANEOUS-NEPHROSTOMY-TRACT-DILATION

    CPT 50436: Dilation of Percutaneous Nephrostomy Tract

    CPT-50437-PERCUTANEOUS-NEPHROSTOMY-TRACT-DILATION-AND-CREATION

    CPT 50437: Nephrostomy Tract Dilation and New Tract Creation

    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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