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 CodesUreter and Pelvis Transurethral Surgical ProceduresCPT cpt-52344-cystourethroscopy-ureteral-stricture-treatment-ureteroscopy
    Ask Trek AI about this page

    CPT 52344: Cystourethroscopy with Ureteral Stricture Treatment and Ureteroscopy

    Medicare pays $330 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 52344 describes cystourethroscopy with inspection of the bladder, urethra, prostatic urethra, and ureteral orifices, insertion of a catheter tip into the ureteral opening for treatment of a ureteral stricture, and use of a ureteroscope for further visualization of the ureters; service type: endoscopic diagnostic and therapeutic procedure for ureteral stricture management; typical site of service: outpatient ambulatory surgery center or hospital operating room due to the endoscopic instrumentation and potential need for operative intervention.

    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.

    Customize your policy alerts

    Sign up for cpt 52344 policy alerts

    Get alerted when payer policies referencing 52344 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 male with a history of recurrent flank pain and progressive hydronephrosis is evaluated for suspected ureteral stricture after prior ureteroscopy and stone extraction. Imaging (CT urogram) demonstrates focal narrowing of the distal ureter with upstream dilation and impaired drainage. The urology team schedules a cystourethroscopy with ureteroscopy and possible endoscopic management of the ureteral stricture.

    During the procedure performed in an ambulatory surgery center or hospital operating room under general or regional anesthesia, the surgeon inserts a cystoscope through the urethra to inspect the urethra, prostatic urethra, and bladder. The ureteral orifice is identified and a catheter tip is passed into the ureteral opening; a ureteroscope is advanced for direct visualization of the ureteral lumen. Endoscopic techniques (balloon dilation, cold knife incision, endoureterotomy, or stent placement) are selected based on stricture location, length, and tissue characteristics. Fluoroscopy and contrast may be used for guidance. Postprocedure care includes monitoring for hematuria, pain control, and instructions if a ureteral stent was placed for temporary drainage.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    52000Cystourethroscopy; diagnostic, with or without collection of specimen(s) by brushing or washingMay be performed when only diagnostic cystoscopy is needed without ureteral catheterization or ureteroscopy.
    52005Cystourethroscopy with ureteral catheterization, with or without irrigation and/or ureteropyelographyUsed when ureteral catheterization and contrast study are performed without ureteroscopy or definitive endoscopic stricture management.
    52352Cystourethroscopy, with ureteroscopy and/or pyeloscopy; with removal of ureteral calculusPerformed when ureteroscopic stone removal is required in addition to diagnostic evaluation.
    50660Ureteral stent placement, with or without repositioningMay be performed immediately after endoscopic stricture treatment to maintain ureteral patency.
    52287Endoscopic lysis of ureteral stricture by laser or other meansUsed for specific endoureterotomy or stricture incision techniques performed via ureteroscopy.
    51800Insertion of temporary indwelling bladder catheter; simple (e.g., Foley catheter)May be performed perioperatively for bladder drainage following cystourethroscopy/ureteroscopy.

    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…
    23Modifier -23 (Unusual Anesthesia) is used on anesthesia service CPT codes when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia…- Use modifier -23 only on anesthesia CPT codes (00100–01999) when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia because of…
    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…
    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
    208000000X
    156FX1100X
    247ZC0005X
    2251H1200X
    291U00000X
    246ZB0301X
    363LP2300X
    1835G0000X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    22 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    D61.9Aplastic anemia, unspecified
    K59.1Functional diarrhea
    N13.2Hydronephrosis with renal and ureteral calculous obstruction
    N13.5Crossing vessel and stricture of ureter without hydronephrosis
    N13.6Pyonephrosis
    N20.0Calculus of kidney
    N20.1Calculus of ureter
    N20.2Calculus of kidney with calculus of ureter
    N28.1Cyst of kidney, acquired
    N30.10Interstitial cystitis (chronic) without hematuria

    Showing 1–10 of 22

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Anesthesiology1 / 3

    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-52320-CYSTOURETHROSCOPY-URETERAL-STONE-REMOVAL

    CPT 52320: Cystourethroscopy with Ureteral Stone Removal

    CPT-52325-URETERAL-LITHOTRIPSY-CYSTOURETHROSCOPY

    CPT 52325: Cystourethroscopy with Ureteral Stone Fragmentation and Removal

    CPT-52327-CYSTOURETHROSCOPY-SUBURETERAL-IMPLANT-INJECTION-FOR-VUR

    CPT 52327: Cystourethroscopy with Ureteral Submucosal Injection

    CPT-52330-CYSTOURETHROSCOPY-URETERAL-STONE-MANIPULATION

    CPT 52330: Cystourethroscopy with Ureteral Stone Manipulation

    CPT-52332-CYSTOURETHROSCOPY-URETERAL-STENT-PLACEMENT

    CPT 52332: Cystourethroscopy with Ureteral Stent Placement

    CPT-52334-CYSTOURETHROSCOPY-PERCUTANEOUS-RETROGRADE-NEPHROSTOMY

    CPT 52334: Cystourethroscopy with Guidewire for Retrograde Nephrostomy

    CPT-52341-CYSTOURETHROSCOPY-URETERAL-STRICTURE-TREATMENT

    CPT 52341: Cystourethroscopy with Ureteral Stricture Treatment

    CPT-52342-CYSTOURETHROSCOPY-WITH-URETERAL-CATHETER-TO-UPJ-FOR-UPJ-STRICTURE-TREATMENT

    CPT 52342: Cystourethroscopy with Ureteral Catheterization and UPJ Stricture Treatment

    CPT-52343-CYSTOURETHROSCOPY-WITH-INTRARENAL-STRICTURE-TREATMENT

    CPT 52343: Cystourethroscopy with Intrarenal Stricture Treatment

    CPT-52345-CYSTOURETHROSCOPY-URETEROSCOPIC-TREATMENT-UPJ-STRICTURE

    CPT 52345: Cystourethroscopy with Ureteroscopic UPJ Stricture Treatment

    Showing 1–10 of 17

    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.