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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesOther Introduction (Injection/Change/Removal) Procedures on the UreterCPT cpt-50686-ureteral-pressure-manometry-catheter-connection
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    CPT 50686: Ureteral Pressure Measurement (Manometry)

    Medicare pays $152 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 50686 describes catheter manometry of the ureter: connecting an indwelling ureteral catheter or ureterostomy tube to a manometer to evaluate ureteral function and measure pressures or pressure differentials in the kidneys and ureters, typically performed to assess obstruction, dilatation, or urinary tract expansion; service type: diagnostic ureteral manometry, typical site of service: hospital outpatient or ambulatory surgical center where access to fluoroscopy and sterile urologic equipment is available.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Positron Emission Tomography (PET) - Non-Oncologic Applications, Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Oncologic Applications, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the Prostate.

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 58-year-old male with a history of nephrolithiasis and progressive left flank pain presents with decreased urine output from the left kidney and intermittent gross hematuria. Cross-sectional imaging (CT urogram) suggests hydronephrosis and a possible ureteral obstruction at the ureteropelvic junction. The urology team elects to evaluate intraluminal pressure and ureteral function by connecting the existing indwelling ureteral catheter to a manometer in the fluoroscopy suite. The procedure is performed with the patient in the supine position under conscious sedation. After sterile preparation, the indwelling ureteral catheter is accessed, connected to a calibrated manometer, and pressures are recorded at rest and during provocation (e.g., gentle irrigation or bladder filling) to assess for variability consistent with obstruction or impaired drainage. Measurements inform decisions about need for stent placement, surgical repair, or continued conservative management. Typical documentation includes indication, catheter type and size, manometer readings, patient tolerance, and any immediate complications.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    50680Pyelostomy, insertion of a catheter, temporary or indwelling, percutaneous or openMay precede manometry when an indwelling nephrostomy or pyelostomy catheter is placed to drain and later measure pressures.
    52000Cystourethroscopy, diagnostic, with or without collection of specimen(s) by brushing or washingMay be performed before or after manometric testing to evaluate lower urinary tract anatomy or to place/verify ureteral catheters.
    52332Cystourethroscopy, with insertion of ureteral stent, with or without contrast or radiologic monitoring; simple (eg, single)Performed when manometry indicates obstruction and ureteral stenting is chosen as the therapeutic response.
    50390Insertion, removal, or replacement of ureteral catheter via existing nephrostomy tract (percutaneous)May be performed when access for manometry is via a nephrostomy tract and catheter manipulation is required.
    51701Single-channel closed drainage catheter, simple (eg, Foley)May be used concurrently for bladder drainage during pressure measurements or provocation testing.
    76942Ultrasonic guidance for vascular access and/or for needle guidance (eg, ultrasound)May be used if ultrasound guidance is needed for percutaneous access to the collecting system prior to manometry.

    Related Modifiers

    10 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    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…
    50Modifier –50 (Bilateral Procedure) is appended to a CPT code when an identical procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures during the same operative session. The AMA states to add…- Use modifier -50 when the same CPT surgical, diagnostic, or radiology procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures (both sides of the body) during the same operative/session by the same…
    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…
    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…
    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…
    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…
    24Modifier 24 denotes an unrelated evaluation and management (E/M) service performed by the same physician or qualified healthcare professional during a postoperative global period. Per CPT guidance,…- Use modifier 24 when you report an evaluation and management (E/M) service performed by the same physician or same-specialty group during a procedure’s postoperative global period that is unrelated…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    208800000X
    363L00000X
    367A00000X
    1223S0112X
    261QM0855X
    320700000X
    103TE1100X
    163WC1500X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    26 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    I12.0Hypertensive chronic kidney disease with stage 5 chronic kidney disease or end stage renal disease
    I42.0Dilated cardiomyopathy
    N10Acute pyelonephritis
    N11.0Nonobstructive reflux-associated chronic pyelonephritis
    N11.1Chronic obstructive pyelonephritis
    N13.2Hydronephrosis with renal and ureteral calculous obstruction
    N13.30Unspecified hydronephrosis
    N13.6Pyonephrosis
    N15.1Renal and perinephric abscess
    N20.0Calculus of kidney

    Showing 1–10 of 26

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Radiology/Diagnostic Imaging1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Positron Emission Tomography (PET) - Non-Oncologic Applicationsuniverahealthcare2026-10-15
    Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Oncologic Applicationsuniverahealthcare2026-10-15
    Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the Prostateuniverahealthcare2026-10-15
    Diagnostic and Therapeutic Radiology ServicesUnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Diagnostic Dynamic Spinal Visualization and Vertebral Motion Analysis (for Nebraska Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Diagnostic Dynamic Spinal Visualization and Vertebral Motion Analysis (for New Mexico Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Diagnostic Dynamic Spinal Visualization and Vertebral Motion AnalysisUnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Diagnostic Dynamic Spinal Visualization and Vertebral Motion Analysis (for North Carolina Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Diagnostic Dynamic Spinal Visualization and Vertebral Motion Analysis (for Kentucky Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Diagnostic Dynamic Spinal Visualization and Vertebral Motion Analysis (for Kansas Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-50684-URETEROSTOMY-CONTRAST-EVALUATION-URETER-RENAL-PELVIS

    CPT 50684: Contrast Study of Ureterostomy Tube and Renal Pelvis

    CPT-50688-URETEROSTOMY-TUBE-OR-URETERAL-STENT-EXCHANGE-VIA-ILEAL-CONDUIT

    CPT 50688: Ureterostomy Tube or Ileal Conduit Stent Removal and Exchange

    CPT-50690-CONTRAST-EVALUATION-ILEAL-CONDUIT-URETER-RENAL-PELVIS

    CPT 50690: Contrast Injection for Ureter/Renal Pelvis/Ileal Conduit

    CPT-50693-NEPHROSTOMY-TRACT-URETERAL-STENT-PLACEMENT

    CPT 50693: Ureteral Stent Placement via Nephrostomy Tract

    CPT-50694-URETERAL-STENT-PLACEMENT-IMAGE-GUIDED

    CPT 50694: Image-Guided Ureteral Stent Placement

    CPT-50695-PERCUTANEOUS-NEPHROSTOMY-NEPHROSTOMY-CATHETER-URETERAL-STENT

    CPT 50695: Percutaneous Nephrostomy with Ureteral Stent Placement

    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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