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    OpenPayerBilling CodesUrethra and Bladder Transurethral Surgical ProceduresCPT cpt-52235-cystoscopic-destruction-medium-bladder-lesion-2-5cm
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    CPT 52235: Cystoscopy with Fulguration of Medium Bladder Lesion

    Medicare pays $259 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 52235 describes cystoscopic inspection of the urethra, prostatic urethra (in men), bladder interior, and ureteric orifices with destruction (fulguration) of medium-sized lesions measuring 2.0–5.0 cm; the service is endoscopic lesion destruction (fulguration/cryotherapy/laser) performed via a cystoscope and the typical site of service is an outpatient surgical suite or ambulatory surgery center where transurethral endoscopic procedures are performed.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Abortion Services, Prolonged Services for Labor Management, Prolonged Services for Labor Management.

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    Table of contents

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A typical patient is a 68-year-old man with a history of intermittent gross hematuria and a recently visualized bladder lesion on outpatient cystoscopy. The patient presents for operative cystoscopy with endoscopic fulguration of a medium-sized papillary bladder tumor identified on prior cystoscopy and imaging. Preoperative workflow includes history and physical, informed consent discussing risks of bleeding, urinary retention, infection, and possible need for conversion to transurethral resection or open surgery. On the day of service, the patient is brought to the ambulatory surgery unit or hospital operating room under monitored anesthesia care or general anesthesia. A rigid or flexible cystoscope is passed through the urethra to inspect the urethra, prostatic urethra, bladder interior, and ureteral orifices. The provider identifies one or more lesions measuring between 2.0 cm and 5.0 cm and treats them by fulguration using electrocautery, laser, or cryotherapy. Intraoperative documentation includes size and number of lesions, anatomic location, energy modality used, completeness of destruction, estimated blood loss, and any complications. Post-procedure workflow includes recovery in PACU, post-op instructions about catheter use and hematuria expectations, pathology if tissue obtained, and scheduled follow-up cystoscopy for surveillance per urologic guidelines.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    52000Cystourethroscopy, diagnostic; with or without collection of specimen(s) by brushing or washingOften performed immediately prior to fulguration for diagnostic inspection and documentation of lesions.
    52010Cystourethroscopy, with removal of foreign bodyMay be used if foreign material or clot removal is needed prior to or during tumor treatment.
    52204Cystourethroscopy, with fulguration of lesion(s); small lesions (less than 2.0 cm)Alternative code for smaller lesions; chosen when lesion size is <2.0 cm.
    52235Cystourethroscopy, with fulguration of medium lesions (2.0–5.0 cm)Primary procedure code for destruction of medium bladder lesions as described.
    52240Cystourethroscopy, with fulguration of large lesions (greater than 5.0 cm)Used when lesion size exceeds 5.0 cm and greater than medium-size code threshold.
    52310Cystourethroscopy, with biopsy of bladder mucosaOften performed alongside when tissue sampling is required for histopathology prior to or instead of fulguration.

    Related Modifiers

    11 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…
    58Modifier 58 (Staged or related procedure/service by the same physician during the postoperative period) indicates that a subsequent procedure performed by the same provider during the…- Use modifier 58 when the same physician/QHP performs a procedure during the postoperative/global period of an earlier procedure and the subsequent procedure is either planned or anticipated…
    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…
    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…
    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,…
    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 11

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    208800000X
    208D00000X
    207RH0000X
    111N00000X
    225100000X
    246ZB0500X
    111NN1001X
    342000000X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    28 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    C67.1Malignant neoplasm of dome of bladder
    C67.9Malignant neoplasm of bladder, unspecified
    D41.4Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of bladder
    N13.6Pyonephrosis
    N20.0Calculus of kidney
    N20.1Calculus of ureter
    N20.2Calculus of kidney with calculus of ureter
    N21.0Calculus in bladder
    N21.1Calculus in urethra
    N32.0Bladder-neck obstruction

    Showing 1–10 of 28

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Obstetrics/Gynecology1 / 2

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Abortion ServicesNew Mexico Health Care Authority2027-01-01
    Prolonged Services for Labor ManagementPremera Bluecross2027-01-01
    Prolonged Services for Labor ManagementPremera Bluecross2027-01-01
    Maternal Serum Testing for Prediction of Adverse Obstetric OutcomesPremera Bluecross2026-10-01
    Maternal Serum Testing for Prediction of Adverse Obstetric OutcomesPremera Bluecross2026-10-01
    Maternal Serum Testing for Prediction of Adverse Obstetric OutcomesBlue Cross Blue Shield - Massachusetts2026-10-01
    Cervical Cancer ScreeningOscar Health2026-10-01
    Prenatal Testing for Fetal AneuploidyOscar Health2026-10-01
    Diagnosis of VaginitisOscar Health2026-10-01
    Prenatal Screening (Nongenetic)Oscar Health2026-10-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-52204-CYSTOURETHROSCOPY-WITH-BIOPSY

    CPT 52204: Cystourethroscopy with Biopsy

    CPT-52214-TRANSURETHRAL-BLADDER-URETHRAL-TISSUE-DESTRUCTION

    CPT 52214: Endoscopic Destruction of Bladder/Urethral Tissue

    CPT-52224-CYSTOSCOPY-LESION-DESTRUCTION-MINOR

    CPT 52224: Cystoscopy with Destruction of Minor Bladder Lesion

    CPT-52234-CYSTOSCOPIC-DESTRUCTION-SMALL-BLADDER-LESION

    CPT 52234: Cystoscopy with Destruction of Small Bladder Lesion

    CPT-52240-CYSTOSCOPY-LESION-FULGURATION-ABLATION-GREATER-THAN-5CM

    CPT 52240: Cystoscopy with Destruction of Bladder Lesion (>5.0 cm)

    CPT-52250-CYSTOSCOPIC-INTRAVESICAL-RADIOACTIVE-THERAPY-FOR-BLADDER-CANCER

    CPT 52250: Cystoscopy with Intravesical Radioisotope Therapy

    CPT-52260-DIAGNOSTIC-CYSTOSCOPY-INTERSTITIAL-CYSTITIS-EVALUATION

    CPT 52260: Cystoscopic Inspection Under Anesthesia for Interstitial Cystitis

    CPT-52265-DIAGNOSTIC-CYSTOSCOPY-INTERSTITIAL-CYSTITIS-EVALUATION

    CPT 52265: Diagnostic Cystoscopy for Interstitial Cystitis

    CPT-52270-CYSTOSCOPIC-URETHROTOMY-INTERNAL-URETHRAL-STRICTURE

    CPT 52270: Cystoscopy with Incision of Internal Urethral Stricture (Female)

    CPT-52275-CYSTOSCOPY-INTERNAL-URETHROTOMY-STRICTURE-INCISION

    CPT 52275: Cystoscopy with Internal Urethrotomy

    Showing 1–10 of 26

    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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