Summary & Overview
CPT 50948: Laparoscopic Ureteral Reimplantation
CPT code 50948 denotes laparoscopic reimplantation of the ureter into the bladder for treatment of ureteral injury, stricture, or obstruction. This surgical code captures a minimally invasive reconstructive urologic procedure that has implications for inpatient and ambulatory surgical care, perioperative resource use, and coding specificity for urologists and surgical teams. Nationally, accurate use of this code matters for clinical quality measurement, procedural tracking, and payment consistency across health plans.
Key payers in the analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find an overview of reimbursement benchmarks and common billing practices, concise clinical context for when the procedure is used, and payer coverage considerations influencing site-of-service decisions. The report highlights coding nuances relevant to laparoscopic reconstructive urology and summarizes typical service settings where the procedure is rendered.
The publication is organized to help revenue cycle professionals, surgical coders, and policy analysts: (1) confirm when CPT code 50948 applies clinically, (2) compare payer coverage and payment patterns, and (3) understand implications for procedure site selection and documentation requirements. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 50948 describes the laparoscopic reimplantation of the ureter into the bladder to address ureteral injury, stricture, and/or obstruction. This procedure involves mobilizing the ureter and creating a new ureterovesical anastomosis using minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques.
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Service type: Surgical procedure — laparoscopic ureteral reimplantation
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Typical site of service: Hospital operating room or outpatient surgical center where advanced laparoscopic urologic procedures are performed
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient is a 45–65-year-old adult presenting with symptomatic unilateral ureteral obstruction due to stricture from prior pelvic surgery or ureteral injury following gynecologic or colorectal procedures. The patient has progressive hydronephrosis on imaging, flank pain, recurrent urinary tract infections, or declining renal function. Initial evaluation includes urinalysis, serum creatinine, CT urography or retrograde pyelography, and possible temporary decompression with a ureteral stent or percutaneous nephrostomy if infection or significant obstruction is present. After preoperative optimization and informed consent, the patient undergoes laparoscopic ureteral reimplantation (50948) under general anesthesia. The procedure involves laparoscopic mobilization of the distal ureter, excision of the strictured segment as needed, preparation of a bladder submucosal tunnel or direct reimplantation, and ureteroneocystostomy with or without a psoas hitch or Boari flap if ureteral length is inadequate. Intraoperative cystoscopy may be performed to confirm ureteral patency and stent placement. Typical postprocedure care includes pain control, monitoring urine output, removal of drains, and follow-up imaging or renal scan to confirm resolution of obstruction. The typical site of service is an acute care hospital operating room or an ambulatory surgery center for select stable patients. Service type: surgical — laparoscopic reconstructive urology.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
22 |