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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesIncision Procedures on the Vas DeferensCPT cpt-55200-vas-deferens-patency-assessment-tubation
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    CPT 55200: Vasal Exploration and Patency Assessment

    Medicare pays $407 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 55200 describes a surgical procedure in which a provider inserts a tube into the vas deferens to assess and clear obstruction that could impair fertility; the surgeon may make an incision in the vas deferens if needed and may perform the procedure on one or both sides. Service type: diagnostic/operative vasal exploration and patency assessment. Typical site of service: ambulatory surgical center or hospital operating room for minor genitourinary surgery under local, regional, or general anesthesia.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Removal of Implantable, Outpatient Surgical Procedures - Site of Service, Surgical Procedures.

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    Table of contents

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 32-year-old male presents to a urology clinic with a 12-month history of infertility after trying to conceive with his partner. Semen analysis demonstrates low volume and poor sperm motility suspicious for distal vasal obstruction. The urologist schedules a diagnostic vasography; under local or general anesthesia in an outpatient ambulatory surgery center, the surgeon exposes the vas deferens through a small incision and inserts a fine catheter or tube into the lumen of one or both vas deferens to inject contrast and assess patency. If a focal obstruction is identified, the surgeon may make a small incision in the vas to relieve blockage or guide further surgical planning. The procedure is typically performed by a urologist with genitourinary or reproductive surgery experience. Typical workflow includes preoperative counseling, informed consent, sedation/anesthesia, sterile preparation, surgical exposure of the vas, cannulation and contrast injection, intraoperative fluoroscopic imaging as needed, wound closure, recovery, and postoperative instructions. Usual sites of service are the outpatient ambulatory surgery center or hospital operating room depending on anesthesia and comorbidities. Patient monitoring includes vital signs, assessment for bleeding or infection, and instructions regarding return to activity and follow-up for definitive corrective surgery if needed.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    55250Repair, vas deferens; with vasoepididymostomy or vasovasostomy (reconstruction)May be performed if cannulation identifies obstruction amenable to microsurgical reconstruction following diagnostic cannulation.
    55400Repair of vas deferens, vasovasostomy (reconstruction), unilateral or bilateralDefinitive reconstructive surgery performed after identification of obstruction during diagnostic evaluation.
    76856Ultrasound, scrotum and contents, limited or follow-upMay be used pre- or post-procedure to evaluate the testes, epididymis, or fluid collections.
    76930Ultrasonic guidance for needle placementMay be used if image-guided needle or catheter placement into the vas is needed.
    76000Fluoroscopic guidance; diagnostic, radiological supervision and interpretationUsed when intraoperative fluoroscopic imaging and contrast study (vasography) are performed during cannulation.

    Related Modifiers

    9 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    26Modifier 26 (Professional Component) identifies and bills only the professional portion of a split service — the physician’s interpretation, report, and medical judgment — when the technical…- Use CPT Modifier -26 when you are billing only the professional component (PC) of a split‑bill eligible service—i.e., you performed the physician interpretation, medical judgment and prepared a…
    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…
    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…
    66Modifier 66 (Surgical Team) is used when three or more surgeons act as primary surgeons on a single, highly complex procedure. The AMA defines it for use when a surgical team — often composed of…- Use modifier 66 when three or more surgeons act as primary surgeons working collaboratively as a surgical team on a single, highly complex or difficult procedure (for example organ…
    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…
    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…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    208800000X
    207L00000X
    2080P0202X
    261QR0401X
    172P00000X
    2088F0040X
    207ZC0008X
    261QG0250X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    26 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    E29.1Testicular hypofunction
    E29.8Other testicular dysfunction
    E29.9Testicular dysfunction, unspecified
    F52.8Other sexual dysfunction not due to a substance or known physiological condition
    N40.0Benign prostatic hyperplasia without lower urinary tract symptoms
    N43.3Hydrocele, unspecified
    N45.1Epididymitis
    N46.9Male infertility, unspecified
    N47.1Phimosis
    N48.89Other specified disorders of penis

    Showing 1–10 of 26

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: General Surgery1 / 2

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Removal of ImplantableBlue Cross Blue Shield - Rhode Island2026-10-01
    Outpatient Surgical Procedures - Site of ServiceUnitedHealthcare2026-09-01
    Surgical ProceduresUnitedHealthcare2026-09-01
    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
    Medical Necessity Guidelines Inpatient Surgical CareMass General Brigham Health Plan2026-08-01
    Outpatient Surgical Procedures - Site of Servicesierra health and life2026-08-01

    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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