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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesOther Renal Introduction (Injection/Change/Removal) ProceduresCPT cpt-50437-percutaneous-nephrostomy-tract-dilation-and-creation
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    CPT 50437: Nephrostomy Tract Dilation and New Tract Creation

    Medicare pays $228 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 50437 describes a percutaneous procedure in which the provider dilates an existing nephrostomy tract and creates a new tract between the skin and the renal collecting system, optionally leaving a tube in place; this image-guided interventional radiology service is typically performed in an operating room, interventional radiology suite, or procedure room and includes imaging guidance and radiologic supervision and interpretation when provided.

    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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    Table of contents

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 68-year-old patient with obstructive hydronephrosis from a ureteral stricture presents with fever, flank pain, and rising creatinine despite attempted ureteral stent placement. The interventional radiology team evaluates the patient and plans percutaneous renal access. Under conscious sedation and ultrasound/fluoroscopic guidance, the operator dilates an existing percutaneous nephrostomy tract to re-establish drainage and then creates an additional new percutaneous nephrostomy tract into the renal collecting system on the contralateral calyx for improved decompression. The procedure includes radiologic supervision and interpretation and may leave one or more nephrostomy tubes in place for ongoing drainage. Post‑procedure workflow includes recovery room monitoring, documentation of procedural details (site, laterality, tube size, contrast use, complications), orders for tube care and antibiotics if indicated, and communication with the referring urologist and primary team for ongoing management and follow‑up imaging.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    50432Insertion of nephroureteral stent (endoscopic/radiologic placement)May be performed prior to or after tract dilation to provide internal-external drainage or stent the ureter.
    50434Percutaneous nephrostomy, including radiologic supervision and interpretation; catheter placement (initial)Commonly performed when establishing percutaneous renal drainage; 50437 specifically includes dilation of an existing tract and creation of a new tract.
    50392Renal ultrasound for placement/assessment of percutaneous accessImaging performed pre- or intra-procedurally to guide access and assess kidney anatomy (note: actual CPT for ultrasound guidance may vary).
    74470Computed tomography, abdomen and pelvis; without contrast (radiologic guidance codes used for planning)Cross-sectional imaging that may be used for planning access in complex anatomy.
    76000Fluoroscopy (remote or intra-procedural) — general radiologic guidanceFluoroscopic imaging is included for guidance; separate billing of guidance depends on payer and whether professional/technical components are split.

    Related Modifiers

    10 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    59Modifier 59 indicates a distinct procedural service when two procedures that are not normally billed together are clinically and procedurally separate. The CPT definition (as reiterated by CMS)…- Use modifier -59 to report a distinct procedural service when documentation supports that the procedure reported is not normally billed together with another service on the same day because of a…
    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…
    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…
    77Modifier 77 indicates that a previously performed procedure or service was legitimately repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional. The AMA’s CPT definition…- Use modifier 77 when a basic procedure or service already performed is repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional (for example, a second provider independently…
    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…
    79Modifier 79 indicates a surgical procedure performed during the postoperative global period of a prior surgery that is unrelated to the original procedure. Per AMA/CPT and CMS guidance, it is…- Use modifier 79 when the same physician (or same‑specialty physician in the same group) performs a surgical procedure during the postoperative global period of a prior surgery and the new procedure…
    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…
    51Modifier –51 (Multiple Procedures) is used when the same provider performs multiple procedures in the same session to identify secondary, non‑exempt procedures and indicate payment reduction logic…- Use modifier -51 when the same provider performs multiple distinct procedures during the same patient encounter: report the highest‑valued procedure first (no modifier) and append -51 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
    208800000X
    207Q00000X
    1041C0700X
    261QP2300X
    2084H0002X
    101YA0400X
    133VN1006X
    261QA0005X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    28 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    I12.9Hypertensive chronic kidney disease with stage 1 through stage 4 chronic kidney disease, or unspecified chronic kidney disease
    I13.0Hypertensive heart and chronic kidney disease with heart failure and stage 1 through stage 4 chronic kidney disease, or unspecified chronic kidney disease
    I13.10Hypertensive heart and chronic kidney disease without heart failure, with stage 1 through stage 4 chronic kidney disease, or unspecified chronic kidney disease
    N10Acute pyelonephritis
    N11.0Nonobstructive reflux-associated chronic pyelonephritis
    N11.1Chronic obstructive pyelonephritis
    N12Tubulo-interstitial nephritis, not specified as acute or chronic
    N13.30Unspecified hydronephrosis
    N13.39Other hydronephrosis
    N13.4Hydroureter

    Showing 1–10 of 28

    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-50391-THERAPEUTIC-INSTILLATION-RENAL-PELVIS-URETER

    CPT 50391: Intrarenal/Ureteral Therapeutic Agent Injection

    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

    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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