Find policies, billing codes, payers, states, and providers
CPT 52235: Cystoscopic Destruction of Medium Bladder Lesion
CPT code 52235 denotes a transurethral cystoscopic procedure to inspect the urethra and bladder and to destroy medium bladder lesions measuring between 2.0 cm and 5.0 cm by fulguration, cryosurgery, or laser. This code captures a common minimally invasive urologic intervention used to manage symptomatic bladder tumors or other focal bladder lesions and is relevant to surgical, oncology, and urology service lines. Nationally, appropriate coding for 52235 affects facility and professional payments, quality measurement, and tracking of urologic procedural volume.
Key payers in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find context on the clinical intent of the code, typical sites of service, and which clinical scenarios generate use of this CPT code. The publication also provides benchmarking context for utilization and reimbursement patterns, notes common billing considerations, and summarizes policy or coverage trends that influence payment and prior authorization practices. Data not available in the input for specific payer rates, ICD-10 mappings, or related codes will be identified where relevant.
Customize your policy alerts
Sign up for cpt 52235 policy alerts
Get alerted when payer policies referencing 52235 are released or updated.
Monitor payer policy activity
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 52235 describes a cystoscopic procedure in which the provider inspects the urethra, prostatic urethra (in men), the interior of the bladder, and ureteric openings using a cystoscope passed through the urethra into the bladder, and destroys (fulgurates) medium lesions between 2.0 cm and 5.0 cm using high–intensity electric current, cryosurgery, or laser surgery.
-
Service type: Endoscopic operative procedure for bladder lesion destruction (transurethral cystoscopic fulguration/ablation).
-
Typical site of service: Hospital outpatient department or ambulatory surgery center; may also be performed in an office setting with appropriate endoscopic and surgical capabilities.