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CPT 55300: Incision of Vas Deferens for Radiologic Examination

CPT code 55300 designates an incision of the vas deferens performed to enable radiological evaluation of the vas deferens and related structures for obstruction assessment. This procedure is used in fertility workups when mechanical blockage is suspected and is performed on one or both sides in outpatient surgical settings or hospital outpatient departments. Nationally, accurate coding of this procedure matters for appropriate clinical documentation, care coordination between urology and radiology, and consistent payment for diagnostic surgical interventions.

Key payers in the analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. The publication summarizes how this code is used clinically, common sites of service, and the payer landscape affecting authorization and coverage. Readers will find concise benchmarks and policy-relevant context (Data not available in the input), descriptions of typical clinical indications and procedure setting, and guidance on documentation elements that support medical necessity determinations. The report does not provide clinical recommendations but offers a practical reference for coding, claims preparation, and payer engagement related to radiologic assessment of the vas deferens.

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Billing Code Overview

CPT code 55300 describes a surgical procedure in which the provider incises the vas deferens to allow radiological examination of the vas deferens and associated structures to assess for blockages that could impair fertility. The procedure may be performed unilaterally or bilaterally.

Service type: Diagnostic surgical exploration of the vas deferens to permit radiologic assessment
Typical site of service: Outpatient surgical center or hospital outpatient department where minor urologic procedures and radiologic studies are performed

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CPT 55300: Incision of Vas Deferens for Radiologic Examination

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Billing Code Overview

Service type: Diagnostic surgical exploration of the vas deferens to permit radiologic assessment
Typical site of service: Outpatient surgical center or hospital outpatient department where minor urologic procedures and radiologic studies are performed

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A 34-year-old male with a 12-month history of infertility is referred to a urologist for evaluation of possible obstructive azoospermia. Semen analyses show absent sperm with normal volume and normal serum testosterone; prior scrotal ultrasound is inconclusive for obstruction. The urologist schedules a diagnostic vasotomy with bilateral exploration and vasography under monitored anesthesia care or general anesthesia. In the operating room, after scrotal or inguinal exposure, the provider incises the vas deferens to introduce contrast and obtain fluoroscopic radiologic imaging of the vasal lumen and the epididymal and ejaculatory ductal anatomy to identify a site of obstruction or confirm patency. Intraoperative findings guide further management (repair, microsurgical reconstruction, or referral for assisted reproductive techniques). Typical site of service is an ambulatory surgery center or hospital outpatient operating room. Preoperative documentation includes infertility history, prior infections or surgery, informed consent describing risks of bleeding, infection, and potential impact on fertility, and radiologic consent. Postoperative documentation includes operative note describing unilateral or bilateral procedure, contrast findings, complications, and postoperative instructions.

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`50`	Bilateral procedure	Use when the vasotomy/vasography is performed on both sides and payer requires modifier for bilateral procedures.
`51`	Multiple procedures	Use when additional distinct procedures are performed during the same operative session.
`52`	Reduced services	Use when the procedure is intentionally partially reduced or not completed as originally described.
`53`	Discontinued procedure	Use when the procedure is started but terminated due to extenuating circumstances.
`62`	Two surgeons	Use when two surgeons are required and each performs a portion of the procedure.
`66`	Surgical team	Use when a surgical team performs the procedure per payer policy.
`73`	Discontinued outpatient before anesthesia	Use when the procedure is cancelled after patient prepared but before anesthesia is given.
`78`	Unplanned return to OR	Use when the patient returns to the operating room for a related procedure during the postoperative global period.
`80`	Assistant surgeon	Use when an assistant surgeon provides intraoperative assistance.
`26`	Professional component	Use when reporting only the professional component of a service (rare for this surgical procedure but applicable if radiology facility bills the technical component).
`59`*	Distinct procedural service	Use to indicate a separate and distinct procedure (note: not in provided list; see strict rules).

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
Data not available in the input.	Data not available in the input.	Data not available in the input.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`N46.9`	Male infertility, unspecified	Common indication for diagnostic vasotomy/vasography to evaluate obstructive causes of infertility.
`N51.2`	Acquired absence of vas deferens	Relevant when congenital or acquired absence is suspected and imaging is needed to confirm anatomy.
`N45.1`	Orchitis and epididymo-orchitis	Prior infection can lead to obstructive changes prompting diagnostic vasography.
`N48.89`	Other specified disorders of penis and scrotum	Used when scrotal structural abnormalities are documented that relate to fertility evaluation.
`N98.8`	Other female infertility (not applicable)	Data not applicable to male procedure; included only if cross-referencing couple infertility — not recommended for primary coding.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`55400`	Vasectomy, bilateral (separate procedure)	May be performed if sterilization is the goal or after diagnostic exploration if obstruction corrected and patient elects occlusion.
`54500`	Biopsy of the testis, simple; open, single	Performed if concomitant testicular pathology is suspected during scrotal exploration.
`76930`	Ultrasound, scrotum and contents	Preoperative imaging commonly used to evaluate testicular and epididymal anatomy before operative exploration.
`55700`	Biopsy, prostate; needle or punch (separate procedure)	Relevant when infertility evaluation includes ejaculatory duct or prostate pathology workup; may be staged or in separate settings.
`76942`	Ultrasonic guidance for needle placement	May be used if image-guided sampling or interventions are performed in conjunction with diagnostic evaluation.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

Trek Health ingests and normalizes Transparency in Coverage data and payer policy updates to give provider organizations a clear view of how commercial reimbursement behaves across markets, payers, and services. Our platform transforms raw payer disclosures into structured intelligence that supports contract evaluation, payer negotiations, and service line strategy. By combining market benchmarks with ongoing policy visibility, Trek helps teams identify variability, risk, and opportunity in commercial reimbursement. The result is faster insight, stronger negotiating positions, and more informed financial decisions.

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`50`	Bilateral procedure	Use when the vasotomy/vasography is performed on both sides and payer requires modifier for bilateral procedures.
`51`	Multiple procedures	Use when additional distinct procedures are performed during the same operative session.
`52`	Reduced services	Use when the procedure is intentionally partially reduced or not completed as originally described.
`53`	Discontinued procedure	Use when the procedure is started but terminated due to extenuating circumstances.
`62`	Two surgeons	Use when two surgeons are required and each performs a portion of the procedure.
`66`	Surgical team	Use when a surgical team performs the procedure per payer policy.
`73`	Discontinued outpatient before anesthesia	Use when the procedure is cancelled after patient prepared but before anesthesia is given.
`78`	Unplanned return to OR	Use when the patient returns to the operating room for a related procedure during the postoperative global period.
`80`	Assistant surgeon	Use when an assistant surgeon provides intraoperative assistance.
`26`	Professional component	Use when reporting only the professional component of a service (rare for this surgical procedure but applicable if radiology facility bills the technical component).
`59`*	Distinct procedural service	Use to indicate a separate and distinct procedure (note: not in provided list; see strict rules).

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
Data not available in the input.	Data not available in the input.	Data not available in the input.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`N46.9`	Male infertility, unspecified	Common indication for diagnostic vasotomy/vasography to evaluate obstructive causes of infertility.
`N51.2`	Acquired absence of vas deferens	Relevant when congenital or acquired absence is suspected and imaging is needed to confirm anatomy.
`N45.1`	Orchitis and epididymo-orchitis	Prior infection can lead to obstructive changes prompting diagnostic vasography.
`N48.89`	Other specified disorders of penis and scrotum	Used when scrotal structural abnormalities are documented that relate to fertility evaluation.
`N98.8`	Other female infertility (not applicable)	Data not applicable to male procedure; included only if cross-referencing couple infertility — not recommended for primary coding.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`55400`	Vasectomy, bilateral (separate procedure)	May be performed if sterilization is the goal or after diagnostic exploration if obstruction corrected and patient elects occlusion.
`54500`	Biopsy of the testis, simple; open, single	Performed if concomitant testicular pathology is suspected during scrotal exploration.
`76930`	Ultrasound, scrotum and contents	Preoperative imaging commonly used to evaluate testicular and epididymal anatomy before operative exploration.
`55700`	Biopsy, prostate; needle or punch (separate procedure)	Relevant when infertility evaluation includes ejaculatory duct or prostate pathology workup; may be staged or in separate settings.
`76942`	Ultrasonic guidance for needle placement	May be used if image-guided sampling or interventions are performed in conjunction with diagnostic evaluation.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

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CPT 55300: Incision of Vas Deferens for Radiologic Examination

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Billing Code Overview

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CPT 55300: Incision of Vas Deferens for Radiologic Examination

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Billing Code Overview

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

References

CPT 55300: Incision of Vas Deferens for Radiologic Examination

Sign up for cpt 55300 policy alerts

Billing Code Overview

CPT 55300: Incision of Vas Deferens for Radiologic Examination

Sign up for cpt 55300 policy alerts

Billing Code Overview

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

What does CPT 55300 represent and where is it usually performed?

What documentation is recommended to support medical necessity and claims for this procedure?

Which modifiers are listed as relevant for CPT 55300 and when would they be used?

Are there related CPT codes I should be aware of when coding around a diagnostic vasotomy/vasography?

Which diagnosis codes are commonly associated with CPT 55300?

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

What does CPT 55300 represent and where is it usually performed?

What documentation is recommended to support medical necessity and claims for this procedure?

Which modifiers are listed as relevant for CPT 55300 and when would they be used?

Are there related CPT codes I should be aware of when coding around a diagnostic vasotomy/vasography?

Which diagnosis codes are commonly associated with CPT 55300?

References