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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesEndoscopy-Cystoscopy, Urethroscopy, Cystourethroscopy Procedures on the BladderCPT cpt-52005-cystourethroscopy-bladder-urethra-ureteric-pelvis-inspection
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    CPT 52005: Cystourethroscopy, Bladder/Urethra/Ureteric Pelvis Inspection

    Medicare pays $291 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 52005 describes a cystourethroscopy procedure for direct inspection of the interior of the bladder, urethra, and ureteric pelvis, performed endoscopically and may include bladder irrigation, instillation of fluids, or imaging of the ureter and renal pelvis; service type: diagnostic endoscopic urologic procedure; typical site of service: outpatient ambulatory surgery center or hospital outpatient setting (office-based cystoscopy when clinically appropriate).

    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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    Table of contents

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A typical patient is a 62-year-old male presenting to the urology clinic with gross or recurrent microscopic hematuria and/or irritative lower urinary tract symptoms. After history, urinalysis, and imaging as indicated, the urologist schedules a diagnostic cystourethroscopy (52005) to directly visualize the urethra and bladder mucosa for sources of bleeding, tumors, stones, strictures, or foreign bodies. The procedure is usually performed in an ambulatory surgery center or hospital outpatient department under local anesthesia with or without sedation, or under general anesthesia depending on patient factors and comorbidities. The provider inserts a cystoscope through the urethra, inspects the urethra, bladder, and ureteral orifices, may irrigate the bladder for better visualization, and may instill contrast or perform retrograde imaging of the ureters and renal pelvis — radiologic imaging services are reported separately. Typical clinical workflow includes pre-procedure consent and evaluation, peri-procedural documentation of findings (lesions, stones, strictures), potential specimen collection (biopsy or cytology reported separately), and post-procedure recovery and instructions.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    52000Cystourethroscopy; diagnostic, with or without collection of specimen(s) by brushing or washingOften used interchangeably in documentation; 52005 specifically notes inspection of ureteric pelvis and possible irrigation — selection depends on exact services documented.
    52007Cystourethroscopy, with biopsy(s) and/or transurethral resection(s)Reported when lesion biopsies or resections are performed during cystourethroscopy beyond simple inspection.
    52010Cystourethroscopy with fulguration of small bladder tumor(s)Performed when endoscopic tumor destruction is done during the same session.
    52310Cystourethroscopy, with removal of foreign bodyUsed when extraction of foreign material from the bladder or urethra is performed during cystoscopy.
    74300Urography procedures (example retrograde pyelography)Radiologic studies of the ureter and renal pelvis are reported separately when performed in conjunction with cystoscopy.

    Related Modifiers

    13 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    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.,…
    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…
    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…
    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…
    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…
    74Modifier ‑74 indicates an outpatient hospital or ASC procedure that was discontinued after anesthesia was administered and after the procedure had begun. Use this modifier when anesthesia (local,…- Use modifier -74 when a procedure in an outpatient hospital or ASC setting is terminated after anesthesia has been administered and after the procedure has commenced (for example, after incision,…
    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…

    Showing 1–10 of 13

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    208000000X
    207L00000X
    2084P0800X
    2086S0127X
    207R00000X
    175F00000X
    364SC2300X
    208G00000X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    29 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    N13.9Obstructive and reflux uropathy, unspecified
    N20.0Calculus of kidney
    N20.1Calculus of ureter
    N21.0Calculus in bladder
    N23Unspecified renal colic
    N30.00Acute cystitis without hematuria
    N30.01Acute cystitis with hematuria
    N30.10Interstitial cystitis (chronic) without hematuria
    N30.11Interstitial cystitis (chronic) with hematuria
    N30.90Cystitis, unspecified without hematuria

    Showing 1–10 of 29

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Anesthesiology1 / 2

    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-52000-DIAGNOSTIC-CYSTOURETHROSCOPY-BLADDER-URETHRA

    CPT 52000: Diagnostic Cystourethroscopy

    CPT-52001-CYSTOURETHROSCOPY-CLOT-EVACUATION

    CPT 52001: Cystourethroscopy with Suction/Irrigation Clot Evacuation

    CPT-52007-CYSTOURETHROSCOPY-URETER-RENAL-PELVIS-BRUSH-BIOPSY

    CPT 52007: Cystourethroscopy with Ureter/Renal Pelvis Brush Biopsy

    CPT-52010-CYSTOURETHROSCOPY-EJACULATORY-DUCT-CATHETERIZATION

    CPT 52010: Cystourethroscopy with Ejaculatory Duct Catheterization

    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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