Summary & Overview
CPT 50780: Ureteral Reimplantation into Urinary Bladder
CPT code 50780 covers ureteral reimplantation into the urinary bladder, a urologic reconstructive surgery typically performed to remove an injured distal ureteral segment and restore urinary tract continuity. This procedure matters nationally because it addresses trauma, iatrogenic injury, and select obstructive or reflux conditions that, if untreated, can lead to renal compromise or recurrent urinary issues. Payment and coding clarity for 50780 affect hospital and surgical practice workflows and post-acute care coordination.
Key payers discussed include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. The publication outlines payer coverage considerations and common billing practices, acknowledging that specific contract terms and medical necessity policies vary by payer.
Readers will find a concise clinical and billing overview, benchmarks for typical sites of service, and a synthesis of policy and documentation expectations relevant to 50780. The content highlights coding context, the procedure’s role within urologic surgical services, and where to look for supporting documentation and diagnosis justification. Data not provided in the input—such as associated taxonomies, ICD-10 diagnoses, related codes, and payer-specific rates—is identified as unavailable in the input.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 50780 describes a surgical procedure to reimplant the ureter into the urinary bladder. The procedure is performed primarily to remove an injured portion of the ureter near the bladder and restore continuity of the urinary tract.
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Service type: Urologic reconstructive surgery
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Typical site of service: Hospital operating room or ambulatory surgical center
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient is a 45-year-old adult who presents with progressive flank pain, recurrent urinary tract infections, or hydronephrosis after traumatic injury or prior pelvic surgery. Imaging (renal ultrasound, CT urogram, or retrograde pyelogram) demonstrates a distal ureteral injury, stricture, or obstruction near the vesicoureteral junction. The urologist schedules an operative ureteral reimplantation under general anesthesia. Intraoperative workflow includes cystoscopy for evaluation, mobilization of the injured distal ureter, excision of the damaged segment, spatulation of the ureteral end, creation of a new submucosal tunnel in the bladder, and ureteroneocystostomy with tension-free anastomosis. A ureteral stent is commonly placed to splint the repair, and a Foley catheter is left for bladder drainage. Postoperative care includes monitoring urine output, pain control, antibiotics when indicated, imaging such as a renal ultrasound or cystogram to confirm an intact repair prior to stent or catheter removal, and outpatient follow-up to assess renal function and recurrent obstruction.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
00 | Original submission | Use as the standard default when no modifier is required (payer-specific usage may vary). |
11 |