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CPT 55110: Scrotal Inspection and Testicular Exploration

CPT code 55110 represents a surgical inspection of the scrotum and testicular contents to detect abnormalities such as torsion or vascular compromise. This code captures an important diagnostic and potentially therapeutic step in acute scrotal care; timely identification of torsion, for example, can be limb- and organ-sparing and has implications for clinical workflows and payer authorization processes nationwide. Key payers in this overview include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will learn the clinical context for use of CPT code 55110, typical sites of service where the procedure is performed, common billing modifiers associated with surgical services, and where input data are not available. The summary highlights common operational considerations for hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, and emergency departments when scrotal exploration is indicated. The content provides benchmarks and policy-relevant points at a national level, along with clinical context to help coding, billing, and clinical teams align documentation with expected use cases. Data not available in the input are explicitly noted where applicable.

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Billing Code Overview

CPT code 55110 describes a surgical inspection of the scrotum and its contents to identify defects or abnormalities, including evaluation for twisting (torsion) or compromised vascular supply to a testicle. This procedure focuses on direct visual and manual assessment of the scrotal sac and testicular structures to determine the presence and extent of acute or chronic pathology.

Service type: Surgical diagnostic inspection of the scrotum/testes
Typical site of service: Operating room or ambulatory surgical center for procedures requiring anesthesia and potential intervention; may also occur in an emergency department setting when immediate surgical exploration is indicated

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CPT 55110: Scrotal Inspection and Testicular Exploration

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Billing Code Overview

Service type: Surgical diagnostic inspection of the scrotum/testes
Typical site of service: Operating room or ambulatory surgical center for procedures requiring anesthesia and potential intervention; may also occur in an emergency department setting when immediate surgical exploration is indicated

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A typical patient is an adolescent or adult male who presents to the emergency department or urology clinic with acute scrotal pain, swelling, or a palpable abnormality. The clinical workflow begins with triage and focused history (onset, severity, associated nausea/vomiting, recent trauma, prior testicular surgery), followed by a targeted physical exam assessing scrotal symmetry, testicular position, cremasteric reflex, and presence of a palpable cord or mass. Scrotal inspection and diagnostic maneuvers are performed during the visit; many patients undergo a prompt scrotal ultrasound with Doppler to evaluate blood flow and to distinguish testicular torsion, epididymitis, or incarcerated hernia.

If ischemia or torsion is suspected, the provider performs urgent surgical exploration of the scrotum and testis to confirm torsion, detorse the testis if viable, and perform orchiopexy or orchiectomy as indicated. For nonurgent findings (e.g., intermittent torsion, suspected mass), the scrotal inspection may be part of an outpatient diagnostic evaluation with possible referral for elective surgical intervention. Typical sites of service include the emergency department, ambulatory surgical center, operating room, or outpatient urology clinic. Common team members include emergency physicians, urologists, surgical technologists, and ultrasound technicians. Documentation should note the indication, informed consent, findings on inspection, maneuvers performed, and any concurrent procedures performed during the same operative session.

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`22`	Increased procedural services	Use when work required is substantially greater than usual for `55110`, documented with rationale and operative note.
`52`	Reduced services	Use when the procedure is partially reduced or aborted but still performed (e.g., limited exploration).
`53`	Discontinued procedure	Use when exploration is started but terminated due to emergent instability or unforeseen circumstances.
`56`	Preoperative evaluation only	Use when the provider performs only preoperative evaluation related to the scrotal procedure and not the procedure itself.
`62`	Two surgeons	Use when two surgeons work together as primary surgeons during complex scrotal exploration.
`66`	Surgical team	Use when a surgical team approach is required and documented.
`50`	Bilateral procedure	Use when bilateral scrotal inspection/exploration is performed and documentation supports bilateral service.
`RT`	Right side	Use to identify the right-sided procedure when laterality is required by payer.
`LT`	Left side	Use to identify the left-sided procedure when laterality is required by payer.
`23`	Unusual anesthesia	Use when general anesthesia is not used but documentation supports unusual anesthesia for nonoperative procedure contexts.
`26`	Professional component	Use when reporting only the professional component of a diagnostic or interpretive service associated with the procedure.
`73`	Discontinued outpatient hospitalization prior to anesthesia	Use when outpatient procedure is cancelled after patient prepared but before anesthesia administered.
`78`	Return to operating room for related procedure during postoperative period	Use if urgent re-exploration of the scrotum is required within the global period.
`79`	Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician during the postoperative period	Use when an unrelated operative service is performed during the global period.

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
2080S0200X	Urology	Urologists most commonly perform scrotal inspection and operative exploration.
208800000X	General Surgery	General surgeons may perform scrotal exploration in emergency settings or when urology is unavailable.
207RC0000X	Emergency Medicine	Emergency physicians frequently perform initial evaluation and coordinate urgent transfer for definitive care.
363A00000X	Radiology	Diagnostic ultrasound with Doppler is performed by radiology or vascular technicians; interpretation by radiologists or sonographers.
2080N0400X	Pediatric Urology	Pediatric urologists manage scrotal issues in children and adolescents, including torsion and congenital anomalies.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`N44.0`	Torsion of testis	Primary indication for urgent scrotal inspection and possible detorsion/orchiopexy.
`N45.1`	Acute epididymitis	Presents with scrotal pain and swelling; inspection differentiates from torsion and guides management.
`N48.8`	Other specified disorders of penis and scrotum	Captures specific scrotal abnormalities noted on inspection when no more specific code applies.
`K40.90`	Unilateral inguinal hernia, without obstruction or gangrene, without mention of reducibility, unspecified side	Inguinal hernia with scrotal extension may be encountered during inspection and require repair.
`N50.1`	Hydrocele	Scrotal inspection identifies fluid collection consistent with hydrocele and guides further imaging or repair.
`R22.1`	Localized swelling, mass and lump, trunk (scrotum)	Used when documentation describes an undifferentiated scrotal mass pending definitive diagnosis.
`S37.421A`	Laceration of scrotum, initial encounter	Trauma-related scrotal inspection is performed for evaluation of laceration or soft tissue injury.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`10060`	Incision and drainage of abscess (e.g., scrotal abscess)	Performed when inspection reveals an abscess requiring drainage at the time of scrotal exploration.
`54640`	Orchiopexy for testicular torsion, with or without fixation of contralateral testis	Definitive surgical correction performed after scrotal inspection confirms torsion; often billed alongside or subsequent to exploration.
`54520`	Orchiectomy, simple, for testicular torsion, necrosis, or other causes	Performed when inspection determines the testis is nonviable and removal is necessary.
`76870`	Ultrasound, scrotum and contents, real-time with color flow Doppler	Diagnostic study commonly performed before or during evaluation to assess perfusion and guide operative decision-making.
`54300`	Repair of indirect inguinal hernia with scrotal extension (repair of scrotal component)	Performed when inspection reveals hernia sac or incarcerated bowel extending into the scrotum requiring repair.

CPT 55100: Incision and Drainage of Scrotal Abscess

CPT-55120-FOREIGN-BODY-REMOVAL-SCROTUM-TESTICLE

CPT 55120: Removal of Foreign Body from Scrotum/Testicle

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Jul 29, 2026.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Jul 29, 2026.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Jul 29, 2026.

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Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`22`	Increased procedural services	Use when work required is substantially greater than usual for `55110`, documented with rationale and operative note.
`52`	Reduced services	Use when the procedure is partially reduced or aborted but still performed (e.g., limited exploration).
`53`	Discontinued procedure	Use when exploration is started but terminated due to emergent instability or unforeseen circumstances.
`56`	Preoperative evaluation only	Use when the provider performs only preoperative evaluation related to the scrotal procedure and not the procedure itself.
`62`	Two surgeons	Use when two surgeons work together as primary surgeons during complex scrotal exploration.
`66`	Surgical team	Use when a surgical team approach is required and documented.
`50`	Bilateral procedure	Use when bilateral scrotal inspection/exploration is performed and documentation supports bilateral service.
`RT`	Right side	Use to identify the right-sided procedure when laterality is required by payer.
`LT`	Left side	Use to identify the left-sided procedure when laterality is required by payer.
`23`	Unusual anesthesia	Use when general anesthesia is not used but documentation supports unusual anesthesia for nonoperative procedure contexts.
`26`	Professional component	Use when reporting only the professional component of a diagnostic or interpretive service associated with the procedure.
`73`	Discontinued outpatient hospitalization prior to anesthesia	Use when outpatient procedure is cancelled after patient prepared but before anesthesia administered.
`78`	Return to operating room for related procedure during postoperative period	Use if urgent re-exploration of the scrotum is required within the global period.
`79`	Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician during the postoperative period	Use when an unrelated operative service is performed during the global period.

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
2080S0200X	Urology	Urologists most commonly perform scrotal inspection and operative exploration.
208800000X	General Surgery	General surgeons may perform scrotal exploration in emergency settings or when urology is unavailable.
207RC0000X	Emergency Medicine	Emergency physicians frequently perform initial evaluation and coordinate urgent transfer for definitive care.
363A00000X	Radiology	Diagnostic ultrasound with Doppler is performed by radiology or vascular technicians; interpretation by radiologists or sonographers.
2080N0400X	Pediatric Urology	Pediatric urologists manage scrotal issues in children and adolescents, including torsion and congenital anomalies.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`N44.0`	Torsion of testis	Primary indication for urgent scrotal inspection and possible detorsion/orchiopexy.
`N45.1`	Acute epididymitis	Presents with scrotal pain and swelling; inspection differentiates from torsion and guides management.
`N48.8`	Other specified disorders of penis and scrotum	Captures specific scrotal abnormalities noted on inspection when no more specific code applies.
`K40.90`	Unilateral inguinal hernia, without obstruction or gangrene, without mention of reducibility, unspecified side	Inguinal hernia with scrotal extension may be encountered during inspection and require repair.
`N50.1`	Hydrocele	Scrotal inspection identifies fluid collection consistent with hydrocele and guides further imaging or repair.
`R22.1`	Localized swelling, mass and lump, trunk (scrotum)	Used when documentation describes an undifferentiated scrotal mass pending definitive diagnosis.
`S37.421A`	Laceration of scrotum, initial encounter	Trauma-related scrotal inspection is performed for evaluation of laceration or soft tissue injury.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`10060`	Incision and drainage of abscess (e.g., scrotal abscess)	Performed when inspection reveals an abscess requiring drainage at the time of scrotal exploration.
`54640`	Orchiopexy for testicular torsion, with or without fixation of contralateral testis	Definitive surgical correction performed after scrotal inspection confirms torsion; often billed alongside or subsequent to exploration.
`54520`	Orchiectomy, simple, for testicular torsion, necrosis, or other causes	Performed when inspection determines the testis is nonviable and removal is necessary.
`76870`	Ultrasound, scrotum and contents, real-time with color flow Doppler	Diagnostic study commonly performed before or during evaluation to assess perfusion and guide operative decision-making.
`54300`	Repair of indirect inguinal hernia with scrotal extension (repair of scrotal component)	Performed when inspection reveals hernia sac or incarcerated bowel extending into the scrotum requiring repair.

CPT 55100: Incision and Drainage of Scrotal Abscess

CPT-55120-FOREIGN-BODY-REMOVAL-SCROTUM-TESTICLE

CPT 55120: Removal of Foreign Body from Scrotum/Testicle

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Jul 29, 2026.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Jul 29, 2026.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Jul 29, 2026.

Published by

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CPT 55110: Scrotal Inspection and Testicular Exploration

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Billing Code Overview

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CPT 55110: Scrotal Inspection and Testicular Exploration

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Billing Code Overview

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Codes

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Codes

References