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    OpenPayerBilling CodesIncision Procedures on the BladderCPT cpt-51045-ureteral-stent-placement-via-cystotomy
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    CPT 51045: Cystotomy with Ureteral Stent or Catheter Placement

    Medicare pays $465 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 51045 describes a surgical procedure in which the clinician makes an incision into the urinary bladder (cystotomy) to place a stent or catheter into the ureter to relieve or bypass a ureteral stricture or obstruction; service type: endoscopic/urologic stent/catheter insertion via cystotomy; typical site of service: operating room or procedure suite in an inpatient or outpatient hospital setting.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Dental Anesthesia Services, Anesthesia Services for Interventional Pain Management Procedures in an Adult, General Anesthesia and Conscious Sedation Services.

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 58-year-old male presents with progressive right flank pain, hydronephrosis on renal ultrasound, and rising serum creatinine. Imaging via non-contrast CT identifies a ureteral obstruction near the distal ureter consistent with a ureteral stricture. The urology team schedules a transvesical ureteral catheter/stent placement via cystotomy to relieve obstruction. Under general anesthesia in an operating room, the surgeon makes a small suprapubic incision into the bladder, identifies the affected ureteral orifice, and inserts a ureteral stent or catheter through the cystotomy into the ureter under fluoroscopic guidance. The procedure may follow diagnostic cystoscopy and retrograde pyelography to localize the obstruction. Postoperatively the patient is observed in a recovery area and plans are made for outpatient follow-up for stent removal or exchange.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    52000Cystourethroscopy, with or without irrigation, instillation, or ureteral catheterization, exclusive of radiologic serviceOften performed before 51045 for diagnostic cystoscopy and attempt at retrograde stent placement; may precede open cystotomy if endoscopic approach fails.
    52005Cystourethroscopy with ureteral catheterization, with manipulation (separate procedure)May be used when additional manipulation or catheter placement is performed endoscopically in the same session.
    51047Incision of bladder to insert ureteral catheter or stent, with irrigation and/or removal of stones (if listed separately)Related open bladder incision procedures; codes may be considered when concomitant stone removal or additional bladder work is performed.
    50710Exploration of ureter, with repair or reimplantationPerformed when definitive ureteral reconstruction is required beyond stenting for stricture or injury.
    52010Cystourethroscopy with ureteral therapy (e.g., dilation)May be performed in conjunction when ureteral dilation is attempted via cystoscopic approach rather than open cystotomy.

    Related Modifiers

    9 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…
    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…
    63Modifier‑63 is appended to surgical CPT codes (20000–69990) when a procedure is performed on a neonate or infant weighing ≤ 4 kg (about 8.8 lbs). The AMA/AAPC definition specifies this use and notes…- Use modifier -63 only for surgical procedures in the CPT 20000–69990 series performed on a neonate or infant who weighs ≤ 4 kg at the time of the procedure; it indicates increased complexity due 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…
    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…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    208U00000X
    207Q00000X
    208800000X
    282NW0100X
    2081P0004X
    3747P1801X
    207XX0004X
    323P00000X

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Anesthesiology1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Dental Anesthesia ServicesProvidence Health Plan2026-10-01
    Anesthesia Services for Interventional Pain Management Procedures in an AdultCigna2026-09-15
    General Anesthesia and Conscious Sedation ServicesUnitedHealthcare2026-09-01
    Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use DisordersPremera Bluecross2026-07-01
    Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use DisordersPremera Bluecross2026-07-01
    Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use DisordersPremera Bluecross2026-07-01
    Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use DisordersPremera Bluecross2026-07-01
    Elective Inpatient Services (for Idaho Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-06-01
    Sites of Servicepriority health2026-06-01
    Coverage for Ambulatory Surgery Unit (ASU)/Outpatient Facility and Anesthesia for Dental Servicesuniverahealthcare2026-05-21

    Related Codes

    CPT-51020-BLADDER-CYSTOTOMY-CYSTOSTOMY-WITH-FULGURATION-OR-INTRAVESICAL-THERAPY

    CPT 51020: Cystotomy/Cystostomy with Fulguration or Intracavitary Therapy

    CPT-51040-CYSTOSTOMY-CYSTOTOMY-DRAINAGE

    CPT 51040: Cystostomy/Cystotomy with Bladder Drainage

    CPT-51050-OPEN-BLADDER-STONE-EXTRACTION

    CPT 51050: Open Bladder Incision for Stone Removal

    CPT-51060-URETERAL-STONE-REMOVAL-WITH-BLADDER-NECK-RESECTION

    CPT 51060: Ureteral Stone Removal via Cystotomy with Bladder Neck Resection

    CPT-51065-URETERAL-STONE-REMOVAL-VIA-CYSTOTOMY

    CPT 51065: Ureteral Calculus Extraction via Cystotomy

    CPT-51080-PERIVESICAL-ABSCESS-INCISION-AND-DRAINAGE

    CPT 51080: Incision and Drainage of Perivesical (Peri‑Bladder) Abscess

    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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