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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesVesical Neck and Prostate Surgical ProceduresCPT cpt-52443-balloon-dilation-and-drug-coated-balloon-prostate
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    CPT 52443: Cystoscopic Transurethral Prostate Drug Delivery

    Medicare pays $6187 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 52443 describes a cystoscopic transurethral procedure in which the clinician inspects the bladder and urethra, dilates the anterior commissure of the prostate with an uncoated balloon catheter, and then administers medication directly into the prostate using a separate drug-coated balloon catheter with imaging guidance (such as ultrasound or fluoroscopy) included; service type: cystoscopic transurethral prostate intervention; typical site of service: hospital outpatient department or ambulatory surgery center (endoscopy/procedural suite).

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Surgical Procedures, Outpatient Surgical Procedures - Site of Service, Site of Service Ambulatory Service Center (ASC) Select — Surgical or Diagnostic Procedures in Adults.

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 68-year-old male with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) presents with bothersome lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) including weak stream, urinary hesitancy, nocturia, and incomplete bladder emptying despite medical therapy. After evaluation with history, physical exam including digital rectal exam, urinalysis, and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) appropriate for age, the urologist recommends a transurethral, image-guided intraprostatic balloon dilation with direct drug delivery to the prostate to relieve obstruction and reduce prostatic tissue bulk or inflammation.

    The procedure is performed in an outpatient surgical center or hospital operating room under sedation or general anesthesia. The provider introduces a cystoscope to visualize the urethra and bladder, uses a non–drug-coated balloon catheter to dilate the anterior commissure of the prostate, and then deploys a separate drug-coated balloon catheter to deliver medication directly into prostatic tissue. Intra-procedural imaging such as transrectal ultrasound or fluoroscopy is used to guide placement and confirm treatment. Standard perioperative workflows include preoperative consent, review of anticoagulation status, prophylactic antibiotics per local protocol, sterile cystoscopic technique, post-procedure monitoring for urinary retention or hematuria, and discharge with instructions for catheter care if a temporary urinary catheter is placed.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    52000Cystourethroscopy, with or without irrigation, with or without collection of specimen(s) by brush or forcepsPerformed for diagnostic cystoscopic evaluation prior to therapeutic balloon dilation; may be performed as a distinct diagnostic step.
    52601Transurethral destruction of prostate tissue, by thermal energy (e.g., electrocautery), one or more sessionsAlternative endoscopic BPH procedure that may be performed instead of or after failure of balloon dilation/drug delivery.
    52287Cystourethroscopy, with removal of foreign body; endoscopic removal of internal urethrotomy or other minor proceduresMay be performed if concurrent endoscopic maneuvers are needed during cystoscopy.
    76930Ultrasound guidance for needle placement, imaging supervision and interpretationUsed when transrectal ultrasound guidance is utilized to guide intraprostatic catheter placement; imaging guidance is included in 52443 but separate ultrasound CPT may be applicable in documentation for guidance confirmation depending on payer.
    76000Fluoroscopy (separate procedure)Fluoroscopic imaging may be used intra-procedurally; imaging is bundled in 52443 but this code represents standalone fluoroscopy when billed separately.

    Related Modifiers

    11 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    25CPT modifier 25 indicates that on the same day as another procedure or service, the same physician or other qualified health care professional provided a significant, separately identifiable…- When to apply: Use modifier 25 only on an E/M code to indicate the same provider delivered a significant, separately identifiable E/M service on the same day as another procedure or service — i.e.,…
    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…
    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…
    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…
    79Modifier 79 indicates a surgical procedure performed during the postoperative global period of a prior surgery that is unrelated to the original procedure. Per AMA/CPT and CMS guidance, it is…- Use modifier 79 when the same physician (or same‑specialty physician in the same group) performs a surgical procedure during the postoperative global period of a prior surgery and the new procedure…
    80CPT® Modifier 80 (Assistant Surgeon) is appended to a surgical CPT code when a physician (MD or DO) provides full, continuous assistance throughout the operative procedure. It is intended only for…- Use CPT Modifier -80 when a physician (MD or DO) serves as an assistant surgeon and provides full, continuous assistance throughout the entire operative procedure; append -80 to the surgical CPT…
    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…
    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…
    50Modifier –50 (Bilateral Procedure) is appended to a CPT code when an identical procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures during the same operative session. The AMA states to add…- Use modifier -50 when the same CPT surgical, diagnostic, or radiology procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures (both sides of the body) during the same operative/session by the same…

    Showing 1–10 of 11

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    363L00000X
    207L00000X
    207RH0000X
    208000000X
    261Q00000X
    103TW0100X
    224P00000X
    364SW0102X

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: General Surgery1 / 2

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Surgical ProceduresUnitedHealthcare2026-09-01
    Outpatient Surgical Procedures - Site of ServiceUnitedHealthcare2026-09-01
    Site of Service Ambulatory Service Center (ASC) Select — Surgical or Diagnostic Procedures in AdultsPremera Bluecross2026-09-01
    Site of Service Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) Select — Surgical or Diagnostic Procedures in AdultsPremera Bluecross2026-09-01
    Site of Service Ambulatory Service Center (ASC) SelectPremera Bluecross2026-09-01
    Site of Service Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) Select — Site of Service for Ambulatory Surgical Procedures (ASC Select)Premera Bluecross2026-09-01
    Site of Service Ambulatory Service Center (ASC) SelectPremera Bluecross2026-09-01
    Outpatient Surgical Procedures - Site of Servicesierra health and life2026-08-01
    Medical Necessity Guidelines — Inpatient Surgical CareMass General Brigham Health Plan2026-08-01
    Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) - Site of Care PolicyKaiser Permanente2026-08-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-52400-CYSTOURETHROSCOPY-CYSTOSCOPE-BLADDER-INSPECTION

    CPT 52400: Diagnostic Cystourethroscopy

    CPT-52402-EJACULATORY-DUCT-ENDOSCOPIC-EXCISION-OR-INCISION

    CPT 52402: Cystoscopic Excision or Incision of Ejaculatory Duct

    CPT-52441-TRANSPROSTATIC-IMPLANT-PLACEMENT-CYSTOURETHROSCOPIC

    CPT 52441: Single Permanent Adjustable Transprostatic Implant

    CPT-52442-TRANSPROSTATIC-IMPLANT-ADD-ON-PLACEMENT

    CPT 52442: Placement of Additional Permanent Adjustable Transprostatic Implant

    CPT-52450-TRANSURETHRAL-PROSTATE-CAPSULOTOMY-ENDOSCOPIC-INCISION

    CPT 52450: Endoscopic Transurethral Prostate Capsulotomy

    CPT-52500-CYSTOURETHROSCOPY-TRANSURETHRAL-EXCISION-BLADDER-NECK

    CPT 52500: Transurethral Excision of Bladder Neck to Relieve Obstruction

    CPT-52597-ROBOTIC-WATERJET-PROSTATE-TISSUE-REMOVAL-THROUGH-URETHRA

    CPT 52597: Robotic Transurethral Waterjet Prostate Resection

    CPT-52601-TRANSURETHRAL-RESECTION-PROSTATE-TURP

    CPT 52601: Transurethral Resection of Prostate (Partial)

    CPT-52630-PROSTATE-RESECTION-RESIDUAL-TISSUE

    CPT 52630: Resection of Residual or Regrown Prostate Tissue

    CPT-52640-ENDOSCOPIC-REMOVAL-BLADDER-NECK-CONTRACTURE

    CPT 52640: Endoscopic Removal of Postoperative Bladder Neck Contracture

    Showing 1–10 of 13

    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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