Summary & Overview
CPT 50947: Laparoscopic Ureteral Reimplantation into Bladder
CPT code 50947 defines laparoscopic ureteral reimplantation into the bladder, a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to correct ureteral injury, strictures, or obstruction. This procedure combines laparoscopic access with cystoscopic or endoscopic examination of the bladder and lower urinary tract and typically includes placement of a ureteral stent. Nationally, the code matters for hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, and payers because it captures a complex urologic reconstructive service that has implications for site-of-service planning, surgical resource allocation, and post-operative care pathways.
Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a clinical and billing-focused overview describing the procedure, expected sites of service, and typical clinical context. The publication provides benchmarking and policy-relevant context where available, highlights common billing modifiers associated with complex surgical services, and outlines the clinical indications tied to the code. It also identifies areas where input data were not provided and flags items requiring payer- or facility-specific verification. The content is intended for revenue cycle leaders, coding professionals, clinical administrators, and policy analysts seeking a concise national-level reference for CPT code 50947.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 50947 describes a laparoscopic ureteral reimplantation into the bladder. The procedure involves use of a laparoscope and may include cystoscopic or endoscopic examination of the bladder and lower urinary tract, plus placement of a ureteral stent. It is performed to address ureteral injury, stricture, and obstruction.
Service type: Surgical — Minimally Invasive Urologic Procedure
Typical site of service: Hospital outpatient surgery center or ambulatory surgical center
Data not available in the input.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 48-year-old female presents with progressive right flank pain, recurrent urinary tract infections, and hydronephrosis identified on ultrasound after prior ureteral injury from pelvic surgery. Imaging with CT urogram confirms a distal ureteral stricture with obstruction and preserved renal function. The urology team schedules a laparoscopic ureteral reimplantation with intraoperative cystoscopy and stent placement to restore ureterovesical continuity and relieve obstruction. Preoperative workflow includes history and physical, pre-op labs, anesthesia evaluation, informed consent, and perioperative antibiotics. Intraoperative workflow includes laparoscopic mobilization of the ureter, creation of a bladder tunnel or reimplantation site, cystoscopic inspection of the bladder and distal ureter, placement of a ureteral stent, and hemostasis. Postoperative care includes pain control, monitoring for urinary leakage or infection, stent management with planned removal, and follow-up imaging to confirm drainage and healing.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
26 | Professional component | When reporting only the physician’s professional interpretation component for an included endoscopic exam (rare for operative case reporting). |
50 |