Summary & Overview
CPT 50800: Ureterocolonic Anastomosis for Urinary Diversion
CPT code 50800 denotes ureterocolonic anastomosis — a surgical urinary diversion that attaches the ureter to the colon to redirect urine, most commonly performed after cystectomy for malignancy or severe trauma. The procedure is clinically significant nationwide because it affects long-term urinary function, infection risk, and post-surgical metabolic management for a population undergoing complex oncologic or reconstructive care. Payers commonly involved in coverage and claims for this service include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare.
Readers will find a concise clinical and billing overview of CPT code 50800, including its service context, typical inpatient site of service, and the primary clinical scenarios that prompt its use. The publication summarizes benchmark considerations and payer coverage patterns where available, highlights coding and documentation elements relevant to hospital and professional claims, and outlines clinical factors that influence utilization and postoperative management. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable. This national-level summary is intended to inform coding professionals, hospital billing teams, and clinicians involved in urologic oncology and complex reconstructive procedures.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 50800 describes a surgical procedure in which the surgeon connects one or both ureters to a segment of the large intestine, typically near the sigmoid colon, to divert urine into the colon. This procedure is most often performed after removal of the urinary bladder (cystectomy) for severe trauma or malignancy and creates a continent or incontinent urinary diversion depending on surgical technique.
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Service type: Major open abdominal reconstructive urologic surgery involving urinary diversion
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Typical site of service: Inpatient operating room with post-operative inpatient care
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 68-year-old male with muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma of the bladder undergoes radical cystectomy with urinary diversion. Intraoperatively, the surgeon creates an ileal conduit by cutting and anastomosing the ureters to a segment of the ileum (urostomy) to divert urine after bladder removal. The patient has a history of prior pelvic radiation and peripheral vascular disease, increasing risk for wound complications. The clinical workflow includes preoperative evaluation (history, labs, urine culture, imaging), bowel preparation and prophylactic antibiotics, cystectomy with ureteroenteric anastomosis (diversion), creation of cutaneous stoma, intraoperative confirmation of ureteral patency, postoperative stoma care instruction, inpatient monitoring for urine output, electrolyte disturbances, and early detection of anastomotic leak or infection. Typical site of service is an inpatient acute care hospital operating room with postoperative recovery and inpatient surgical ward care. Service type is major reconstructive urologic surgery (urinary diversion) following cystectomy for malignancy or severe bladder injury.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
00 | No modifier (default) | Use when no additional modifier applies; primary reporting of the procedure. |
22 |