Loading...

    Explore
    • Policy Monitoring
    • Live Policy Feed
    • Billing Codes
    • NPI Medicare & Medicaid
    • Healthcare Providers
    • Health Insurance Payers
    • States
    • Service Lines
    • Taxonomy Codes
    Lookup tools
    • Billing Code Lookup
    • CPT Modifier Lookup
    • Provider Taxonomy Code Lookup
    • Healthcare Provider & Facility Lookup
    • Health Insurance Payer Lookup
    • Payer Contact Directory

    Policy & Benchmark Tools

    • Prior Authorization Lookup
    • Coverage Criteria Lookup
    • Timely Filing Lookup
    • Billing Code Reimbursement Rates
    • Payer Comparison Dashboard
    • Facility Comparison Dashboard
    • All tools

    Company

    • About OpenPayer
    • Data Sources
    • Trek Health
    OpenPayerby Trek Health
    LinkedInYouTube

    © 2026 Trek Health. All rights reserved.

    OpenPayer is built and maintained by Trek Health.

    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesRepair Procedures on the BladderCPT cpt-51840-urethropexy-bladder-neck-elevation
    Ask Trek AI about this page

    CPT 51840: Anterior Vesicourethropexy (Urethropexy)

    Medicare pays $634 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 51840 describes a simple anterior vesicourethropexy or urethropexy procedure performed to elevate and fix the bladder neck and urethra, restoring the urethrovesical angle to treat urinary incontinence; this is a surgical pelvic floor procedure typically performed in an operating room or ambulatory surgical center and categorized as a reconstructive urologic/gynecologic service.

    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.

    Customize your policy alerts

    Sign up for cpt 51840 policy alerts

    Get alerted when payer policies referencing 51840 are released or updated.

    Monitor payer policy activity

    Receive email alerts as soon as relevant payer policies are published or updated.

    Table of contents

    Progress1 / 7

    Explore openpayer tools

    • Billing CodesCPT, HCPCS, DRG & more
    • Reimbursement RatesCommercial vs. Medicare rate reports
    • Facility ComparisonBeds, revenue & payer mix
    • ProvidersHospitals & facilities
    • PayersPlans & market footprint
    • Taxonomy CodesNUCC specialty codes
    • ModifiersCPT modifiers & usage
    • Prior AuthorizationPA policies by payer & drug
    • Timely FilingFiling deadlines by payer
    • Coverage CriteriaMedical necessity by payer
    • Payer ContactsClaims, PA & appeals contacts
    View all tools

    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 58-year-old parous woman presents to the urogynecology clinic with stress urinary incontinence characterized by urine leakage with coughing, sneezing, and exertion for several years. Conservative measures including pelvic floor physical therapy and pessary use provided inadequate symptom control. Urodynamic testing demonstrates urethral hypermobility without significant detrusor overactivity. After counseling, the patient elects to proceed with a simple anterior vesicourethropexy (urethropexy) to elevate and fix the bladder neck and urethra, restoring the urethrovesical angle.

    Preoperative workflow includes history and physical, pregnancy test if applicable, optimization of comorbidities, informed consent, and appropriate preop labs and anesthesia evaluation. The procedure is typically performed under general or regional anesthesia in an operating room or ambulatory surgery center. Postoperative care involves short-term catheterization as indicated, pain control, voiding trial prior to discharge, and follow-up to assess continence and wound healing. Documentation should include indication, diagnostic findings (e.g., urethral hypermobility), informed consent, operative details (approach, fixation method), estimated blood loss, and postop instructions.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    52000Cystourethroscopy, with or without irrigation and/or injection, diagnosticPerformed preoperatively or intraoperatively to evaluate the urethra/bladder or to confirm anatomy.
    57288Sling operation for stress incontinence (including fascial grafts when performed)Alternative or adjunctive procedure to urethropexy for stress urinary incontinence; may be performed instead of or in combination depending on surgeon preference.
    51702Complex urethral catheterization, with insertion of indwelling urethral catheterUsed for postoperative bladder drainage or voiding trials when catheter management is required.
    54150Less commonly related — if concurrent pelvic procedures are performedRepresents potential concurrent pelvic surgery coding when additional procedures are performed during the same session.
    57140Repair of cystocele via vaginal approachMay be performed concurrently when pelvic organ prolapse coexists with stress urinary incontinence.

    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…
    24Modifier 24 denotes an unrelated evaluation and management (E/M) service performed by the same physician or qualified healthcare professional during a postoperative global period. Per CPT guidance,…- Use modifier 24 when you report an evaluation and management (E/M) service performed by the same physician or same-specialty group during a procedure’s postoperative global period that is unrelated…
    25CPT modifier 25 indicates that on the same day as another procedure or service, the same physician or other qualified health care professional provided a significant, separately identifiable…- When to apply: Use modifier 25 only on an E/M code to indicate the same provider delivered a significant, separately identifiable E/M service on the same day as another procedure or service — i.e.,…
    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…
    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…
    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…
    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…

    Showing 1–10 of 12

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207RR0500X
    367500000X
    2084N0402X
    125J00000X
    163WP0807X
    335V00000X
    207LP4000X
    163WH0500X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    22 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    F82Specific developmental disorder of motor function
    N31.9Neuromuscular dysfunction of bladder, unspecified
    N32.0Bladder-neck obstruction
    N32.1Vesicointestinal fistula
    N39.0Urinary tract infection, site not specified
    N39.3Stress incontinence (female) (male)
    N39.41Urge incontinence
    N39.42Incontinence without sensory awareness
    N39.46Mixed incontinence
    N81.0Urethrocele

    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-51800-BLADDER-VESICAL-NECK-URETHRAL-REPAIR

    CPT 51800: Bladder Neck and Urethral Repair

    CPT-51820-BLADDER-URETHRAL-REPAIR-URETERAL-REIMPLANTATION

    CPT 51820: Bladder and Urethral Repair with Ureteral Reimplantation

    CPT-51841-ANTERIOR-VESICOURETHROPEXY-URETHROPEXY-ELEVATION-FIXATION

    CPT 51841: Anterior Vesicourethropexy or Urethropexy

    CPT-51845-BLADDER-NECK-SUSPENSION-FEMALE-STRESS-INCONTINENCE

    CPT 51845: Bladder Neck Suspension for Female Stress Incontinence

    CPT-51860-OPEN-BLADDER-REPAIR-SIMPLE-WOUND

    CPT 51860: Simple Open Repair of Urinary Bladder

    CPT-51865-COMPLEX-OPEN-BLADDER-REPAIR

    CPT 51865: Open Repair of Complex Urinary Bladder Wound

    CPT-51880-CYSTOSTOMY-TUBE-REMOVAL-AND-BLADDER-CLOSURE

    CPT 51880: Removal of Cystostomy Tube with Bladder Closure

    CPT-51900-VESICOVAGINAL-URETHROVAGINAL-FISTULA-REPAIR

    CPT 51900: Vesicovaginal and Urethrovaginal Fistula Repair

    CPT-51920-VESICOUTERINE-FISTULA-REPAIR

    CPT 51920: Excision of Vesicouterine Fistula

    CPT-51925-VESICOUTERINE-FISTULA-EXCISION-WITH-HYSTERECTOMY

    CPT 51925: Vesicouterine Fistula Repair with Hysterectomy

    Showing 1–10 of 13

    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.
    Published by

    Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

    Trek Health ingests and normalizes Transparency in Coverage data and payer policy updates to give provider organizations a clear view of how commercial reimbursement behaves across markets, payers, and services. Our platform transforms raw payer disclosures into structured intelligence that supports contract evaluation, payer negotiations, and service line strategy. By combining market benchmarks with ongoing policy visibility, Trek helps teams identify variability, risk, and opportunity in commercial reimbursement. The result is faster insight, stronger negotiating positions, and more informed financial decisions.