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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesEndoscopy Procedures on the KidneyCPT cpt-50574-percutaneous-endoscopic-renal-evaluation-biopsy
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    CPT 50574: Endoscopic Examination of Kidney with Biopsy

    Medicare pays $500 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 50574 describes a percutaneous or perinephric endoscopic examination of the kidney and renal pelvis with biopsy, performed by inserting an endoscope through a skin incision to visualize the kidney and ureter, obtain tissue samples, and optionally perform irrigation/instillation or radiologic ureteropyelography with contrast; service type: endoscopic diagnostic procedure with biopsy; typical site of service: inpatient or outpatient surgical suite or operating room where percutaneous renal endoscopy and biopsy are performed.

    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

    Progress1 / 7

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 58-year-old patient presents with persistent hematuria, flank pain, and a suspicious renal mass identified on CT scan. After urology consultation, percutaneous kidney endoscopy with biopsy is scheduled. The patient is brought to an ambulatory surgery center (ASC) or hospital operating room (OR). Under conscious sedation or general anesthesia, the interventional urologist or endourologist makes a small flank incision and inserts a rigid or flexible endoscope through the skin into the renal pelvis. Irrigation with saline is used for visualization. Targeted tissue is obtained via biopsy forceps for histopathology. Contrast may be instilled to perform ureteropyelography to delineate collecting system anatomy and to evaluate for ureteral involvement. Specimens are submitted to pathology; intraoperative fluoroscopy or radiographs may be used. Typical postprocedure workflow includes recovery in PACU, vital sign monitoring, pain control, urine output observation, discharge instructions if in ASC or admission for observation if complications or comorbidities exist.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    50574Percutaneous renal endoscopy with biopsy, with or without irrigation, pyelography, or contrast injectionPrimary procedure described; direct code for percutaneous endoscopic evaluation and renal biopsy
    76942Ultrasonic guidance for needle placement (e.g., biopsy)Often used pre- or intra-procedurally to guide percutaneous access to the kidney for biopsy
    74480Radiologic examination, retrograde pyelogram, including contrast injection(s)May be performed if retrograde imaging of the ureter/renal pelvis is required during the procedure
    50705Injection procedure for urinary fistula or leak (not directly related)Listed here for workflow differentiation; not typically performed with 50574 but may be part of broader urologic interventions if indicated
    52332Cystourethroscopy, with ureteroscopy and/or pyeloscopy, with irrigation and/or diagnostic proceduresEndoscopic evaluation of the upper tract via a retrograde approach; may be an alternative or adjunct to percutaneous endoscopy

    Related Modifiers

    11 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…
    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…
    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…
    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…
    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…

    Showing 1–10 of 11

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    2086S0102X
    207RH0000X
    363L00000X
    333300000X
    2278P3900X
    225XM0800X
    101200000X
    163WN0002X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    28 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    C64.9Malignant neoplasm of unspecified kidney, except renal pelvis
    C67.9Malignant neoplasm of bladder, unspecified
    D47.2Monoclonal gammopathy
    N10Acute pyelonephritis
    N11.0Nonobstructive reflux-associated chronic pyelonephritis
    N11.1Chronic obstructive pyelonephritis
    N12Tubulo-interstitial nephritis, not specified as acute or chronic
    N13.30Unspecified hydronephrosis
    N13.6Pyonephrosis
    N18.6End stage renal disease

    Showing 1–10 of 28

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Nephrology1 / 2

    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-50551-ENDOSCOPIC-EXAMINATION-KIDNEY-RENAL-PELVIS-URETER

    CPT 50551: Endoscopic Examination of Kidney via Existing Nephrostomy

    CPT-50553-ENDOSCOPIC-EXAMINATION-KIDNEY-RENAL-PELVIS-CATHETER

    CPT 50553: Nephroscopy Through Established Percutaneous/Pyelostomy Tract

    CPT-50555-RENAL-ENDOSCOPY-PYELOSCOPIC-BIOPSY

    CPT 50555: Nephroscopy with Biopsy via Established Access

    CPT-50557-ENDOSCOPIC-RENAL-PROCEDURE-TISSUE-DESTRUCTION-INCISION

    CPT 50557: Percutaneous Nephroscopy With Tissue Destruction/Incision

    CPT-50561-PERCUTANEOUS-RENAL-ENDOSCOPY-STONE-FOREIGN-BODY-REMOVAL

    CPT 50561: Percutaneous Nephroscopy with Stone/Foreign Body Removal

    CPT-50562-ENDOSCOPIC-RENAL-TUMOR-REMOVAL

    CPT 50562: Nephroscopy With Tumor Removal

    CPT-50570-PERCUTANEOUS-ENDOSCOPIC-RENAL-VISUALIZATION

    CPT 50570: Nephrostomy with Endoscopic Evaluation

    CPT-50572-ENDOSCOPIC-EXAMINATION-KIDNEY-RENAL-PELVIS-URETER

    CPT 50572: Nephrostomy Endoscope Examination of Kidney and Renal Pelvis

    CPT-50575-ANTEGRADE-ENDOPYELOTOMY-UPJ-STRICTURE

    CPT 50575: Antegrade Endopyelotomy for UPJ Stricture

    CPT-50576-ENDOSCOPIC-RENAL-PELVIS-EVALUATION-BIOPSY-ABLATION

    CPT 50576: Percutaneous Nephroscopy with Biopsy and Ablation

    Showing 1–10 of 11

    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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