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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesRemoval Procedures on the BladderCPT cpt-51101-bladder-aspiration-urine-sample-acute-retention
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    CPT 51101: Bladder Aspiration for Urine Collection or Retention

    Medicare pays $162 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 51101 describes bladder aspiration, a procedure performed to collect a urine sample or to provide temporary relief of acute urinary retention; the service is a procedural aspiration of the bladder typically performed in an ambulatory clinic, emergency department, or inpatient bedside setting to obtain sterile urine or decompress the bladder when catheterization is not suitable.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Surgical Procedures, Outpatient Surgical Procedures - Site of Service, Site of Service Ambulatory Service Center (ASC) Select — Surgical or Diagnostic Procedures in Adults.

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    Table of contents

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A typical patient is a 72-year-old male presenting to the emergency department with acute urinary retention characterized by suprapubic discomfort, inability to void, and palpable bladder distension. After focused history and exam, bladder scan demonstrates significant post-void residual volume and attempts at voiding are unsuccessful. Suprapubic percussion elicits tenderness and there is concern for urinary retention from benign prostatic hyperplasia or obstructive UTI. The clinical workflow includes informed consent, sterile preparation, local anesthesia as indicated, and performance of bladder aspiration (percutaneous suprapubic aspiration or catheter-assisted aspiration) to obtain a sterile urine specimen and/or temporarily relieve retention. Vital signs and urine output are monitored after the procedure; specimen is sent to the lab for urinalysis and culture when infection is suspected. Documentation includes indication, informed consent, technique (suprapubic needle vs. catheter), quantity obtained, immediate complications, and plans for definitive management (eg, Foley catheter placement, urology consult).

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    51701Insertion of temporary indwelling bladder catheter; simple (eg, Foley)Foley catheter placement commonly follows aspiration when sustained drainage is required
    51702Insertion of temporary indwelling bladder catheter; complicated (eg, with urethral dilation)Used when urethral obstruction prevents simple catheterization and aspiration or alternate methods are needed
    51703Exchange or removal of indwelling catheterPerformed after initial relief of retention when catheter management is required
    51798Other catheterization, irrigation, or instillation of bladderCaptures additional bladder interventions performed in conjunction with aspiration (eg, irrigation)
    51720Bladder instillation of pharmacologic agentMay be performed after aspiration if intravesical therapy is indicated

    Related Modifiers

    6 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    22Modifier –22 (Increased Procedural Services) is used when a reported procedure is substantially more extensive than normally required. The CPT Manual and CMS state it may be appended only when the…- When to use: Append modifier -22 to a procedural CPT code when the service performed is substantially more extensive than the usual service described by that code — i.e., the procedure required…
    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…
    76Modifier -76, Repeat Procedure or Service by Same Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional, is appended when the same provider performs an identical, medically necessary procedure or…- Use modifier -76 when the same physician or other qualified health care professional performs an identical procedure or service a second (or subsequent) time on the same date of service and the…
    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…
    59Modifier 59 indicates a distinct procedural service when two procedures that are not normally billed together are clinically and procedurally separate. The CPT definition (as reiterated by CMS)…- Use modifier -59 to report a distinct procedural service when documentation supports that the procedure reported is not normally billed together with another service on the same day because of a…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    208100000X
    207Q00000X
    207R00000X
    363L00000X
    363A00000X
    207RN0300X
    224900000X
    207ZP0101X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    23 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    E86.0Dehydration
    E87.6Hypokalemia
    F98.5Adult onset fluency disorder
    N10Acute pyelonephritis
    N13.8Other obstructive and reflux uropathy
    N20.0Calculus of kidney
    N30.00Acute cystitis without hematuria
    N30.01Acute cystitis with hematuria
    N32.0Bladder-neck obstruction
    N32.81Overactive bladder

    Showing 1–10 of 23

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: General Surgery1 / 2

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Surgical ProceduresUnitedHealthcare2026-09-01
    Outpatient Surgical Procedures - Site of ServiceUnitedHealthcare2026-09-01
    Site of Service Ambulatory Service Center (ASC) Select — Surgical or Diagnostic Procedures in AdultsPremera Bluecross2026-09-01
    Site of Service Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) Select — Surgical or Diagnostic Procedures in AdultsPremera Bluecross2026-09-01
    Site of Service Ambulatory Service Center (ASC) SelectPremera Bluecross2026-09-01
    Site of Service Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) Select — Site of Service for Ambulatory Surgical Procedures (ASC Select)Premera Bluecross2026-09-01
    Site of Service Ambulatory Service Center (ASC) SelectPremera Bluecross2026-09-01
    Outpatient Surgical Procedures - Site of Servicesierra health and life2026-08-01
    Medical Necessity Guidelines — Inpatient Surgical CareMass General Brigham Health Plan2026-08-01
    Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) - Site of Care PolicyKaiser Permanente2026-08-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-51100-BLADDER-ASPIRATION-PERCUTANEOUS-NEEDLE

    CPT 51100: Bladder Aspiration, Percutaneous Needle

    CPT-51102-ASPIRATION-BLADDER-SUPRAPUBIC-CATHETER-INSERTION

    CPT 51102: Aspiration of Bladder with Suprapubic Catheter Insertion

    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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