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CPT 52601: Transurethral Resection of Prostate (TURP)
CPT code 52601 denotes transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), a common urologic surgical procedure to remove obstructive prostate tissue via a resectoscope passed through the urethra. The code bundles routine intraoperative urologic services that are integral to the procedure, such as cystoscopy, meatotomy, and urethral dilation, which may not be billed separately. This classification matters nationally because TURP is a frequently performed intervention for benign prostatic hyperplasia and related lower urinary tract symptoms, with implications for hospital and ambulatory surgical center workflows, coding compliance, and payer policy alignment.
Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will gain a concise overview of the clinical context for 52601, guidance on bundled-service reporting expectations, and comparisons to related procedural options such as repeat transurethral resection or laser prostate procedures. The summary addresses typical sites of service and the clinical indications commonly associated with the code, helping coding, billing, and clinical teams understand where 52601 fits within urologic service lines and payer coverage frameworks. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.
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Billing Code Overview
CPT code 52601 describes a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) in which the surgeon inserts a resectoscope through the urethra and removes a portion of the prostate. The description specifies that multiple urologic procedures that are performed as part of the TURP, such as cystoscopy, meatotomy, and urethral dilation, are considered intrinsic to the service and should not be reported separately.
Service type: Surgical — urologic procedure (transurethral prostate resection)
Typical site of service: Hospital operating room or ambulatory surgical center (inpatient or outpatient surgical setting)
National Reimbursement Benchmarks
Commercial averages sit well above Medicare for CPT 52601: Blue Cross Blue Shield and BUCA mean rates are notably higher than Medicare’s mean of $536.30, with BUCA averaging $2,880.30 across its reported percentiles and Blue Cross Blue Shield averaging $4,238.30. UnitedHealth Group, Cigna, and Aetna also have means ($1,330.00, $1,235.00, and $643.90 respectively) that exceed Medicare’s mean, indicating a substantial gap between Medicare reimbursement and many commercial payers.
Dispersion varies meaningfully by payer. Calculated interquartile ranges (P75–P25) are tightest for Aetna at $770.00 and Cigna at $850.90, while the widest spread appears for Blue Cross Blue Shield at $4,684.70 and BUCA at $2,119.50, with UnitedHealth Group showing a $801.70 IQR and Medicare a narrow $35.00 IQR. These differences signal that price variability across markets is much greater for some commercial payers than for Medicare.