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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesManipulation Procedures on the UrethraCPT cpt-53601-urethral-dilation-male
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    CPT 53601: Urethral Dilation for Male Urethral Stricture

    Medicare pays $92 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 53601 describes passage of a sound or urethral dilator to dilate a urethral stricture in a male patient; this procedure is a therapeutic urethral dilation performed to improve urinary flow and reduce infection risk and is typically provided as an outpatient urology follow-up procedure in an ambulatory clinic or urology office setting.

    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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    Table of contents

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 58-year-old male with a history of recurrent lower urinary tract symptoms presents for a follow-up office visit for evaluation and management of a known urethral stricture. He reports decreased urinary stream, straining to void, and occasional urinary tract infections despite prior initial dilations. The urology provider performs a urethral dilation by passing a sound or urethral dilator under local anesthesia in the outpatient clinic to improve urinary flow and reduce infection risk. The visit is for a subsequent dilation procedure following a prior treatment episode; documentation includes indication, prior procedure date, informed consent, details of the dilator size sequence, patient tolerance, any complications, and post-procedure instructions. Typical site of service is an ambulatory urology clinic or outpatient procedure room. Typical service type is an office-based procedural visit for urethral dilation in a male patient.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    52000Cystourethroscopy, with or without collection of specimen; diagnostic, with or without irrigation and/or ureteral catheterizationPerformed before dilation to visualize stricture, assess extent, and direct management.
    52332Urethral dilation, any method, male; initial dilationUsed for the initial dilation procedure; 53601 is used for subsequent dilations.
    52440Urethrotomy, direct vision internal; simpleAlternative or subsequent treatment for short, single strictures when dilation is insufficient.
    52204Cystourethroscopy, with insertion of indwelling ureteral stent (e.g., to manage complex strictures or obstructive issues)May be performed in conjunction with evaluation or management of complicated urethral strictures.
    99024Postoperative follow-up visit, related to routine postoperative care following surgeryUsed for routine post-procedure follow-up documentation when applicable.

    Related Modifiers

    9 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…
    24Modifier 24 denotes an unrelated evaluation and management (E/M) service performed by the same physician or qualified healthcare professional during a postoperative global period. Per CPT guidance,…- Use modifier 24 when you report an evaluation and management (E/M) service performed by the same physician or same-specialty group during a procedure’s postoperative global period that is unrelated…
    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.,…
    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…
    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…
    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…
    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…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    208800000X
    2080P0206X
    207Q00000X
    207L00000X
    363LF0000X
    333300000X
    363LX0106X
    225XH1300X

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: General Surgery1 / 3

    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-53600-URETHRAL-DILATION-IN-MALE-PATIENTS

    CPT 53600: Urethral Dilation for Male Urethral Stricture

    CPT-53605-URETHRAL-BLADDER-NECK-DILATION-MALE

    CPT 53605: Urethral or Bladder Neck Dilation in Male Under Anesthesia

    CPT-53620-URETHRAL-DILATION-MALE

    CPT 53620: Urethral Dilation for Male Urethral Stricture

    CPT-53621-URETHRAL-DILATION-MALE-PATIENT

    CPT 53621: Urethral Dilation for Male Urethral Stricture

    CPT-53660-FEMALE-URETHRAL-DILATION

    CPT 53660: Female Urethral Dilation

    CPT-53661-FEMALE-URETHRAL-DILATION-SUBSEQUENT-INSERTION

    CPT 53661: Female Urethral Dilation, Subsequent Insertion

    CPT-53665-FEMALE-URETHRAL-DILATION

    CPT 53665: Female Urethral Dilation, Operative

    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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