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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesUreter and Pelvis Transurethral Surgical ProceduresCPT cpt-52354-cystourethroscopy-ureteroscopy-pyeloscopy-lesion-biopsy-fulguration
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    CPT 52354: Cystourethroscopy with Ureteroscopy/Pyeloscopy and Lesion Biopsy or Fulguration

    Medicare pays $372 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 52354 describes a cystourethroscopy with ureteroscopy and/or pyeloscopy during which a ureteral or pelvic lesion is biopsied for pathologic examination or destroyed by fulguration; this is an endoscopic urologic diagnostic and therapeutic procedure performed via cystoscope passed through the urethra into the bladder, typically provided in an outpatient ambulatory surgery center or hospital setting as a specialist urology procedure.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use Disorders, Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use Disorders, Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use Disorders.

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    Table of contents

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 64-year-old male presents with painless gross hematuria and intermittent flank pain. Prior noninvasive imaging (CT urogram) identified a suspicious filling defect in the distal right ureter. The urology team schedules a diagnostic cystourethroscopy with ureteroscopy/pyeloscopy and possible biopsy or fulguration. The patient arrives to an ambulatory surgery center (ASC) or hospital outpatient department (HOPD) after preoperative evaluation, informed consent, and appropriate anesthesia assessment (general or spinal).

    During the procedure the provider introduces a cystoscope through the urethra to inspect the urethra, prostatic urethra, and bladder. A semi-rigid or flexible ureteroscope is passed into the ureter for inspection of the ureter and renal pelvis. On identification of a ureteral or pelvic lesion, the surgeon obtains a biopsy for pathologic review or performs fulguration with high-frequency electric current to ablate the lesion. Specimens are sent to pathology; hemostasis is confirmed; a ureteral stent may be placed based on intraoperative findings. The postoperative workflow includes recovery, discharge instructions, pathology follow-up, and scheduling of stent removal if applicable.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    52000Cystourethroscopy, diagnostic, with or without collection of specimen(s) by brushing or washingOften performed when only diagnostic cystoscopy is required without ureteroscopy; may precede or replace more advanced endoscopic procedures.
    52332Cystourethroscopy, with insertion of indwelling ureteral stent (eg, Gibbons or double-J)May be performed during the same operative session to relieve obstruction or maintain drainage after ureteral manipulation or biopsy.
    52356Cystourethroscopy with ureteroscopy, with removal of ureteral calculus by ureteroscopyPerformed when ureteral stones are encountered and require extraction rather than biopsy or fulguration.
    52320Cystourethroscopy, with biopsy(s) of the bladder and/or urethra (separate procedure)Used when additional bladder or urethral biopsies are taken in conjunction with ureteral/renal pelvis biopsy.
    50590Lithotripsy, ultrasonic shockwave, percutaneous renal stone fragmentation, including nephroscopyMay be part of the broader endourologic management when stones in the renal pelvis require percutaneous approaches following endoscopic evaluation.

    Related Modifiers

    12 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…
    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,…
    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…
    77Modifier 77 indicates that a previously performed procedure or service was legitimately repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional. The AMA’s CPT definition…- Use modifier 77 when a basic procedure or service already performed is repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional (for example, a second provider independently…

    Showing 1–10 of 12

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy CodeSpecialtyNotes
    208800000XUrology PhysicianA urologist manages benign and malignant medical and surgical disorders of the genitourinary system and the adrenal gland. This specialist has compreh…
    2080P0207XPediatric Hematology & Oncology PhysicianA pediatrician trained in the combination of pediatrics, hematology and oncology to recognize and manage pediatric blood disorders and cancerous disea…
    207R00000XInternal Medicine PhysicianA physician who provides long-term, comprehensive care in the office and the hospital, managing both common and complex illness of adolescents, adults…
    207L00000XAnesthesiology PhysicianAn anesthesiologist is trained to provide pain relief and maintenance, or restoration, of a stable condition during and immediately following an opera…
    261QM1103XMilitary Ambulatory Procedure Visits Operational (Transportable) Clinic/Center"Non-fixed" facilities or distinct parts of a "non-fixed" facility, providing outpatient surgical procedures requiring medically supervised recovery. …
    167G00000XLicensed Psychiatric TechnicianAn individual licensed by the state board as a Psychiatric Technician based upon completion of a prescribed course of theory and clinical practice, wi…
    207NP0225XPediatric Dermatology PhysicianA pediatric dermatologist has, through additional special training, developed expertise in the treatment of specific skin disease categories with emph…
    163WF0300XFlight Registered NurseNursing Service Providers · Registered Nurse

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Anesthesiology1 / 3

    9 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    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
    Mm_0579_Coveragepositioncriteria_Anesthesia_Services_Selected_Nerve_BlocksCigna2026-05-15
    Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric DisordersBlue Cross Blue Shield - North Carolina2026-04-01

    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-52344-CYSTOURETHROSCOPY-URETERAL-STRICTURE-TREATMENT-URETEROSCOPY

    CPT 52344: Cystourethroscopy with Ureteral Stricture Treatment and Ureteroscopy

    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.
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