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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesEndoscopy Procedures on the UreterCPT cpt-50976-ureteroscopic-examination-biopsy-fulguration
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    CPT 50976: Ureteroscopy with Biopsy and Tissue Destruction

    Medicare pays $414 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 50976 describes a ureteroscopy procedure in which the provider incises the ureter and advances an endoscope to examine the kidneys, renal pelvis, and ureters, performs a biopsy of lesions or tissue, and may include fulguration or incision with high‑frequency heat to destroy tissue; service type: endoscopic diagnostic and therapeutic urinary tract procedure; typical site of service: hospital operating room or ambulatory surgery center for endoscopic urologic intervention.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Diabetic Supplies, Radiofrequency Ablation for Thyroid Nodules, Continuous Glucose Monitoring and Insulin Delivery for Managing Diabetes (for Idaho Only).

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    Table of contents

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 62-year-old male with gross hematuria and recurrent flank pain is referred to urology after CT imaging suggests a filling defect in the renal pelvis. The patient is scheduled for ureteroscopy with renal pelvic inspection and biopsy. In the preoperative workflow the patient undergoes consent, anesthesia evaluation (general or regional), and pre-op antibiotics per institutional protocol. In the operating room the surgeon performs cystoscopy to identify the ureteral orifice, incises the ureteral orifice or uses a ureteral access sheath as needed, advances a flexible ureteroscope up the ureter into the renal pelvis to directly visualize a lesion, obtains cold forceps or brush biopsy specimens, and performs fulguration or holmium laser ablation of small papillary tumors if indicated. A ureteral stent may be placed for drainage post-procedure. Immediate postoperative steps include recovery, pain control, discharge instructions, and follow-up for pathology results and stent removal if placed. Typical site of service is an ambulatory surgery center or hospital outpatient department. Service type is minimally invasive endoscopic diagnostic and operative urologic procedure.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    52000Cystoscopy, with or without collection of specimen(s) by brushing or washing (separate procedure)Often performed immediately before ureteroscopy to inspect the bladder and identify ureteral orifices.
    52332Cystoureteroscopy, with ureteroscopy and/or pyeloscopy; with biopsy, single or multipleOverlapping code for ureteroscopic biopsy of ureteral or renal pelvic lesions; used for similar diagnostic sampling in the ureter.
    52356Cystoureteroscopy, with laser lithotripsy of ureteral stone(s)Performed when ureteroscopic visualization also identifies and treats stones using laser energy during the same session.
    52353Cystoureteroscopy, with ureteroscopy; with removal of ureteral calculus by lithotripsyRelated when stone extraction/lithotripsy is required during ureteroscopy.
    52310Cystoureteroscopy, with diagnostic, with or without ureteral catheterization, with or without removal of ureteral stentMay be used for diagnostic ureteroscopy or stent-related procedures performed before or after definitive ureteroscopy.

    Related Modifiers

    12 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    26Modifier 26 (Professional Component) identifies and bills only the professional portion of a split service — the physician’s interpretation, report, and medical judgment — when the technical…- Use CPT Modifier -26 when you are billing only the professional component (PC) of a split‑bill eligible service—i.e., you performed the physician interpretation, medical judgment and prepared a…
    51Modifier –51 (Multiple Procedures) is used when the same provider performs multiple procedures in the same session to identify secondary, non‑exempt procedures and indicate payment reduction logic…- Use modifier -51 when the same provider performs multiple distinct procedures during the same patient encounter: report the highest‑valued procedure first (no modifier) and append -51 to…
    52Modifier ‑52 (Reduced Services) indicates that a service or procedure was partially reduced or omitted at the provider’s discretion, allowing reporting of the basic procedure number with a qualifier…- Use modifier -52 when a physician or qualified health professional electively reduces or omits part of a procedure or service (for example, performing fewer required views or omitting a portion of…
    53Modifier 53 (Discontinued Procedure) signals that a surgical or diagnostic service was begun by the physician but terminated because of extenuating circumstances that threatened the patient’s…- Use modifier -53 when a physician/qualified healthcare professional has started a surgical or diagnostic procedure (e.g., anesthesia administered, incision or scope insertion) and then discontinues…
    62Modifier 62 indicates that two surgeons function as co‑surgeons, each performing distinct parts of the same primary surgical procedure. It is appended to the primary procedure code (and any…- Use modifier -62 when two surgeons act as co‑surgeons (both primary surgeons) on a single definitive primary procedure, each performing distinct parts of the same surgical procedure (append -62 to…
    66Modifier 66 (Surgical Team) is used when three or more surgeons act as primary surgeons on a single, highly complex procedure. The AMA defines it for use when a surgical team — often composed of…- Use modifier 66 when three or more surgeons act as primary surgeons working collaboratively as a surgical team on a single, highly complex or difficult procedure (for example organ…
    78CPT modifier -78 indicates an unplanned, related return to the operating or procedure room by the same provider during the global postoperative period. It is appended when treatment for a…- Use modifier -78 when an unplanned, related complication during the original procedure’s global postoperative period requires the patient to return to a formal operating or procedure room and the…
    80CPT® Modifier 80 (Assistant Surgeon) is appended to a surgical CPT code when a physician (MD or DO) provides full, continuous assistance throughout the operative procedure. It is intended only for…- Use CPT Modifier -80 when a physician (MD or DO) serves as an assistant surgeon and provides full, continuous assistance throughout the entire operative procedure; append -80 to the surgical CPT…
    81Modifier -81 indicates a physician served as a minimal assistant surgeon for part—not all—of an operative procedure. Use when a physician’s assisting role is limited and does not represent full…- Use CPT modifier -81 when a physician acts as a minimum assistant surgeon who assists during only part (a limited portion) of an operative procedure; append -81 to the primary surgical CPT code to…
    73Modifier 73 indicates a facility-level outpatient hospital or ASC procedure that was discontinued after the patient was prepared and taken to the procedure/operating room but before any anesthesia…- When to use: Apply CPT modifier 73 on the FACILITY (outpatient hospital or ASC) claim when the patient has been fully prepared and physically taken into the procedure/operating room but the…

    Showing 1–10 of 12

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    2080P0208X
    208000000X
    207L00000X
    2084P0800X
    261QP3300X
    207WX0109X
    163WL0100X
    246YC3302X

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Endocrinology1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Diabetic SuppliesCigna2026-10-15
    Radiofrequency Ablation for Thyroid NodulesCigna2026-10-15
    Continuous Glucose Monitoring and Insulin Delivery for Managing Diabetes (for Idaho Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Tzield (teplizumab-mzwv) CoverageUnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Continuous Glucose Monitoring and Insulin Delivery for Managing Diabetes (for Indiana Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Medical Necessity Guidelines Insulin PumpsMass General Brigham Health Plan2026-10-01
    Medical Necessity Guidelines: Continuous Glucose MonitorsMass General Brigham Health Plan2026-10-01
    Continuous Glucose MonitoringAmbetter Nevada2026-10-01
    Salivary Hormone TestingOscar Health2026-10-01
    Bone Turnover Markers TestingOscar Health2026-10-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-50951-PERCUTANEOUS-URETEROSCOPY-URETERAL-STONE-REMOVAL

    CPT 50951: Percutaneous Nephroscopy/Ureteroscopy for Stone Evaluation and Removal

    CPT-50953-PERCUTANEOUS-URETEROSCOPIC-EXAMINATION-CATHETERIZATION

    CPT 50953: Endoscopic Exam via Cutaneous Ureteral Tract

    CPT-50955-ENDOSCOPIC-URETERAL-BIOPSY-VIA-ESTABLISHED-TRACT

    CPT 50955: Endoscopic Biopsy of Ureter via Established Tract

    CPT-50957-PERCUTANEOUS-ENDOSCOPIC-RENAL-URETEROSCOPIC-PROCEDURE-MALIGNANCY

    CPT 50957: Endoscopic Exam via Cutaneous Ureterostomy for Biopsy/Destruction

    CPT-50961-PERCUTANEOUS-ENDOSCOPIC-URETERAL-STONE-REMOVAL

    CPT 50961: Percutaneous Ureteroscopy via Existing Skin-Ureter Tract

    CPT-50970-URETEROSCOPIC-EXAMINATION-AND-STONE-REMOVAL

    CPT 50970: Ureteroscopy with Ureterotomy for Ureteral Stone Removal

    CPT-50972-URETEROSCOPY-URETEROTOMY-FOR-STONE-REMOVAL

    CPT 50972: Ureteroscopy with Ureteral Endoscopy for Stone Removal

    CPT-50974-URETEROSCOPIC-KIDNEY-RENAL-PELVIS-URETER-BIOPSY-STONE-REMOVAL

    CPT 50974: Ureteroscopy with Biopsy and Ureteral Stone Removal

    CPT-50980-URETEROSCOPY-WITH-URETEROTOMY-AND-STONE-REMOVAL

    CPT 50980: Ureteroscopy with Inspection and Stone Removal

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
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