Summary & Overview
CPT 50830: Ureteral Reimplantation to Reestablish Urinary Tract
CPT code 50830 denotes ureteral reimplantation performed to reestablish the urinary tract after prior diversion or reconstructive procedures such as ileal conduit, ureterosigmoidostomy, or ureteroenterostomy. This complex reconstructive urologic surgery restores continuity between the ureters and the bladder by creating new bladder entry points and reimplanting the ureters. Nationally, the code matters for hospitals and urology practices because it reflects advanced perioperative care needs, potential inpatient utilization, and reconciles historical urinary diversions with standard bladder drainage.
Key payers addressed include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of the clinical context for the procedure, typical sites of service, and the payer mix relevant to reimbursement and utilization discussions. The publication outlines expected benchmarks where available, summarizes pertinent policy considerations and coverage patterns, and situates the procedure within broader surgical and post-acute care pathways. Data not available in the input will be noted where applicable, and the content focuses on national-level implications for coding, billing, and operational planning rather than state-specific guidance.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 50830 describes a surgical procedure to reestablish the urinary tract after prior diversion or reconstructive operations such as ileal conduit, ureterosigmoidostomy, or ureteroenterostomy. The procedure involves reimplantation of one or both ureters into the bladder through newly created entry points on the bladder to restore normal urinary drainage.
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Service type: Reconstructive urologic surgery involving ureteral reimplantation
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Typical site of service: Hospital operating room or ambulatory surgery center, with inpatient or outpatient postoperative care depending on clinical indications and patient stability
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 62-year-old male with a history of prior urinary diversion via ileal conduit after radical cystectomy presents with recurrent ureteral obstruction and persistent urinary leakage at the stoma site. Imaging (CT urogram and antegrade pyelography) demonstrates distal ureteral strictures bilaterally with upstream hydronephrosis. The urology team plans operative reestablishment of the lower urinary tract by mobilizing the ureters and performing ureteroneocystostomy (reimplantation of the ureters into the bladder) to restore urinary continuity.
The clinical workflow includes preoperative evaluation with renal function tests, urine culture and treatment of infection if present, cross-sectional imaging and antegrade/retrograde studies to delineate anatomy, intraoperative ureteral catheterization or stenting, creation of new bladder entry sites, reimplantation of one or both ureters with ureteral stents placed for drainage, and postoperative monitoring for urine leak, infection, and renal function. Hospital inpatient setting is typical; procedure is performed by a urologist with operative team support and postoperative urology follow-up for stent removal and imaging surveillance.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
00 | No modifier - standard reporting | Use when no specific modifier applies and the procedure is reported as usual. |