Summary & Overview
CPT 50740: Excision of Occluded Ureter Segment with Reattachment to Renal Pelvis
CPT code 50740 covers surgical removal of an occluded segment of the ureter with reattachment of the healthy ureter to the renal pelvis. This reconstructive urologic procedure addresses upper ureteral obstruction that can impair renal drainage and lead to pain, infection, or loss of kidney function. Nationally, it is a clinically significant code used for tracking operative management of ureteral strictures, injuries, and other causes of proximal obstruction.
Key payers included in this analysis are Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise summary of clinical context, common payment modifiers and coding considerations, typical sites of service, and what is known about payer coverage patterns. The publication outlines benchmarks for utilization where available, highlights relevant policy and billing guidance, and summarizes implications for coding accuracy and documentation.
This report is intended for coding professionals, billing staff, urology clinicians, and payer policy analysts seeking a clear national overview of CPT code 50740, its clinical purpose, and the administrative elements that affect reimbursement and recordkeeping. Data not available in the input will be noted where applicable.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 50740 describes surgical excision of an occluded or blocked segment of the ureter with reattachment of the healthy ureteral segment to the renal pelvis. This procedure repairs upper ureteral obstruction by removing the diseased section and restoring continuity between the kidney and ureter.
-
Service type: Surgical repair of the upper ureter (ureteral reimplantation to renal pelvis)
-
Typical site of service: Hospital operating room or ambulatory surgical center, depending on clinical complexity and patient factors
Data not available in the input.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 54-year-old female presents with progressive flank pain, recurrent febrile urinary tract infections, and impaired renal drainage on imaging. CT urogram demonstrates a short-segment distal ureteral stricture with hydronephrosis and preserved renal function of the affected kidney. After failing endoscopic balloon dilation and stenting, the urology team schedules an open ureteroureterostomy with resection of the occluded segment and reimplantation to the renal pelvis (ureteropyelostomy). The workflow includes preoperative imaging (CT or IVP), pre-op labs and urinalysis/culture with antibiotics as indicated, general anesthesia, intraoperative excision of the strictured ureteral segment, spatulated anastomosis to the renal pelvis with stent placement, possible perinephric drain placement, postoperative monitoring for urine leak and infection, follow-up imaging (renal ultrasound or diuretic renography) and stent removal in clinic.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
00 | No modifier | Standard reporting when no modifier applies |
11 | Professional component | Use when reporting the professional component separate from facility (rare for surgery) |