Summary & Overview
CPT 52341: Cystourethroscopy with Treatment of Ureteral Stricture
CPT code 52341 denotes a cystourethroscopy with inspection of the bladder, urethra, prostatic urethra, and ureteral orifices with catheter insertion into the ureteral opening and procedural treatment of a ureteral stricture. This endoscopic urologic procedure is used to evaluate and manage intrinsic or extrinsic narrowing of the ureteral orifice and proximal ureter, and it has implications for inpatient and outpatient surgical workflows, device use, and care coordination.
Key payers discussed in this national overview include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise explanation of clinical context and service settings, along with benchmarking and policy-relevant material where available. The publication highlights typical sites of service, common payment and billing considerations, and the clinical scenarios that commonly prompt use of this code.
The report clarifies what CPT code 52341 represents, summarizes payer coverage landscape at a high level, and outlines the operational and coding contexts clinicians and billing professionals should expect. Data not available in the input are noted where applicable; the content focuses on nationally relevant clinical and billing descriptions rather than state-specific rules.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 52341 describes a cystourethroscopy with inspection of the bladder, urethra, prostatic urethra, and ureteral orifices using a cystoscope passed through the urethra into the bladder, with insertion of the catheter tip into the ureteral opening and performance of treatment for a ureteral stricture by an appropriate method.
Service type: Endoscopic urologic procedure for ureteral stricture management.
Typical site of service: Hospital outpatient department or ambulatory surgery center, and can also be performed in an office setting equipped for endoscopic urologic procedures depending on clinical circumstances and facility capabilities.
Data not available in the input.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 62-year-old male with a history of recurrent flank pain and progressive hydronephrosis is referred for endoscopic evaluation after imaging suggests a distal ureteral stricture. The urologist schedules an operative cystourethroscopy with diagnostic inspection of the urethra, prostatic urethra, bladder, and ureteral orifices. Under general or spinal anesthesia in an ambulatory surgery center or hospital operating room, a rigid or flexible cystoscope is passed through the urethra into the bladder. The ureteral orifice is identified and a catheter tip is advanced into the ureteral opening. After assessment of the stricture length and appearance, the surgeon selects a method to treat the ureteral stricture (e.g., dilation, endoscopic incision/resection, stent placement, or balloon dilation). Intraoperative fluoroscopy or retrograde pyelography may be used to confirm guidewire and catheter placement. A ureteral stent may be placed for drainage following endoscopic management. Typical post-procedure workflow includes recovery from anesthesia, monitoring for hematuria or infection, discharge with short-term antibiotics if indicated, and outpatient follow-up for stent removal and imaging to assess resolution of obstruction.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
00 | No modifier | Not typically applied; present in raw list but not a CMS standard modifier — use institutional billing rules if required |