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    OpenPayerBilling CodesExcision Procedures on the BladderCPT cpt-51500-urachal-cyst-sinus-excision-umbilical-hernia-repair
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    CPT 51500: Excision of Urachal Cyst or Sinus

    CPT code 51500 describes a surgical procedure to remove a urachal cyst or sinus, often including repair of an associated umbilical hernia; service type: surgical excision/repair of urachal remnant, typical site of service: operating room or ambulatory surgical center for general/urogenital surgery.

    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

    Progress1 / 7

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A typical patient is a child or young adult presenting with a midline umbilical mass, recurrent periumbilical drainage, localized pain, or signs of infection. The surgical team evaluates history and performs a focused exam noting an umbilical sinus or palpable cystic structure tracking toward the bladder. Preoperative imaging (ultrasound or CT) defines the tract and rules out bladder involvement. The workflow includes preoperative consent, perioperative antibiotics as indicated, general anesthesia, and a lower midline or periumbilical incision. The surgeon excises the urachal cyst or sinus en bloc; if an umbilical hernia is present, simultaneous hernia repair may be performed. Specimens are sent for pathology and cultures when infected. Postoperative care includes wound management, analgesia, and follow-up to monitor healing and rule out recurrence or infection. Typical sites of service are the hospital operating room or ambulatory surgery center depending on patient age, comorbidity, and procedure complexity. Common payors encountered for authorization and billing include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, BUCA, and Medicare.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    12032Repair of superficial wound, intermediate closure, 2.5 cm to 7.5 cmMay be used for layered closure of the skin and subcutaneous tissue after excision of a small urachal cyst.
    49495Re-exploration of stoma, not included elsewhereData not directly applicable; Data not available in the input.
    49585Repair of umbilical hernia, reducible, age 5 years or olderCommonly performed concurrently when an umbilical hernia is identified during 51500 and requires repair.
    49000Exploratory laparotomy, exploratory celiotomy with or without biopsyMay be used when intra-abdominal exploration beyond a localized excision is required due to extensive tract or complications.
    49010Laparotomy with exploration, or peritoneal drainageUsed if peritoneal contamination is addressed during the same operative session.
    77021Ultrasound guidance for diagnostic or therapeutic proceduresPreoperative ultrasound for localization of the urachal tract or cyst (diagnostic imaging) — note imaging codes are billed separately by radiology.

    Note: For any CPT code listed above, apply appropriate modifiers and payer-specific billing rules from Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, BUCA, and Medicare when submitting claims.

    Related Modifiers

    12 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…
    23Modifier -23 (Unusual Anesthesia) is used on anesthesia service CPT codes when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia…- Use modifier -23 only on anesthesia CPT codes (00100–01999) when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia because of…
    50Modifier –50 (Bilateral Procedure) is appended to a CPT code when an identical procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures during the same operative session. The AMA states to add…- Use modifier -50 when the same CPT surgical, diagnostic, or radiology procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures (both sides of the body) during the same operative/session by the same…
    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…
    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…
    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…

    Showing 1–10 of 12

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207L00000X
    207T00000X
    208D00000X
    2085R0204X
    1835E0208X
    163WA0400X
    224L00000X
    246ZG0701X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    22 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    A49.9Bacterial infection, unspecified
    K40.20Bilateral inguinal hernia, without obstruction or gangrene, not specified as recurrent
    K59.2Neurogenic bowel, not elsewhere classified
    L02.91Cutaneous abscess, unspecified
    L03.116Cellulitis of left lower limb
    N15.1Renal and perinephric abscess
    N32.89Other specified disorders of bladder
    N34.1Nonspecific urethritis
    N76.0Acute vaginitis
    N76.1Subacute and chronic vaginitis

    Showing 1–10 of 22

    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-51520-BLADDER-NECK-EXCISION

    CPT 51520: Excision of Bladder Neck to Relieve Obstruction

    CPT-51525-BLADDER-DIVERTICULECTOMY-OPEN-EXCISION

    CPT 51525: Excision of Bladder Diverticulum

    CPT-51530-BLADDER-TUMOR-EXCISION

    CPT 51530: Excision of Bladder Tumor (Incision into Bladder)

    CPT-51535-URETEROCELE-EXCISION-REPAIR-BLADDER-INCISION

    CPT 51535: Ureterocele Excision, Incision, or Repair

    CPT-51550-PARTIAL-CYSTECTOMY-SIMPLE-CYSTECTOMY-BLADDER-RESECTION

    CPT 51550: Simple Cystectomy (Partial Bladder Removal)

    CPT-51555-COMPLEX-PARTIAL-CYSTECTOMY-BLADDER-RESECTION

    CPT 51555: Complex Partial Cystectomy

    CPT-51565-BLADDER-RESECTION-AND-URETERAL-REIMPLANTATION

    CPT 51565: Bladder Segmental Resection with Ureteral Reimplantation

    CPT-51570-RADICAL-CYSTECTOMY-COMPLETE-BLADDER-REMOVAL

    CPT 51570: Radical Cystectomy (Complete Bladder Removal)

    CPT-51575-RADICAL-CYSTECTOMY-PELVIC-LYMPHADENECTOMY

    CPT 51575: Radical Cystectomy with Pelvic Lymph Node Dissection

    CPT-51580-RADICAL-CYSTECTOMY-WITH-URINARY-DIVERSION

    CPT 51580: Radical Cystectomy with Urinary Diversion

    Showing 1–10 of 15

    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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