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CPT 55882: MRI-Guided Transurethral Ultrasound Ablation of Prostate Tissue

CPT code 55882 designates MRI-guided transurethral ultrasound ablation (TULSA) of prostate tissue, a minimally invasive image-guided procedure that delivers therapeutic ultrasound via a transurethral transducer to ablate targeted prostate tissue. The code captures services where the provider performs the ablation with MRI guidance and may include adjunctive steps such as suprapubic bladder drainage and endorectal cooling to protect surrounding structures. Nationally, this code is relevant as advanced prostate ablation technologies expand treatment options for benign prostatic hyperplasia and localized prostate neoplasms, and as payers refine coverage and payment policies for MRI-guided focal therapies.

Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of clinical context and procedure components, common billing and coding considerations, and typical site-of-service implications. The publication summarizes benchmarking and policy updates where available, highlights documentation and imaging requirements implicit to MRI-guided ablation, and outlines areas where coverage varies or is evolving. Data not available in the input are noted where applicable.

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Billing Code Overview

CPT code 55882 describes transurethral ultrasound ablation (TULSA) of prostate tissue with MRI guidance. The procedure involves insertion of a transducer into the urethra to deliver therapeutic ultrasound energy to ablate prostate tissue under magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) guidance. The provider may also insert a suprapubic tube for bladder drainage and may place an endorectal cooling device to protect surrounding tissues during the ablation.

Service type: Image-guided prostate tissue ablation using transurethral ultrasound

Typical site of service: Hospital outpatient department or ambulatory surgery center with MRI capability

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CPT 55882: MRI-Guided Transurethral Ultrasound Ablation of Prostate Tissue

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Get alerted when payer policies referencing 55882 are released or updated.

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Billing Code Overview

Service type: Image-guided prostate tissue ablation using transurethral ultrasound

Typical site of service: Hospital outpatient department or ambulatory surgery center with MRI capability

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A 68-year-old male with symptomatic localized prostate cancer or medically refractory benign prostatic hyperplasia is scheduled for MRI-guided transurethral ultrasound ablation (TULSA). The patient has pre-procedure multiparametric MRI confirming targetable lesion(s) and meets device-specific criteria for prostate size and anatomy. On the day of service the patient arrives to an outpatient ambulatory surgery center or hospital operating room under monitored anesthesia care or general anesthesia. The provider inserts a transducer transurethrally, may place a suprapubic drainage tube for bladder decompression, and may position an endorectal cooling device to protect the rectal wall. Real-time MRI guidance is used to plan, target, and monitor thermal ablation of prostate tissue while the team monitors core temperature and neurovascular structures. After completion, the transducer and any drains or cooling devices are removed or secured, post-ablation MRI sequences are obtained to confirm treatment effect, and the patient is recovered in PACU with discharge instructions or admitted if clinically indicated.

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`00`	No surgical modifier (placeholder)	Use when no other modifier applies to the professional/surgical service.
`22`	Increased procedural services	Use when work required is substantially greater than typical for TULSA (document rationale).
`23`	Unusual anesthesia	Use when general anesthesia is required and documentation supports medically necessary unusual anesthesia.
`50`	Bilateral procedure	Use when bilateral pelvic procedures are reported and payer accepts bilateral modifier for the service, if applicable.
`51`	Multiple procedures	Use when TULSA is performed with other distinct procedures on the same day; report primary procedure with `51` on secondary codes per payer rules.
`52`	Reduced services	Use when TULSA is partially reduced or discontinued and documentation supports reduced service.
`53`	Discontinued procedure	Use when TULSA is started but discontinued for documented patient safety reasons.
`62`	Two surgeons	Use when two surgeons of different specialties perform distinct portions of the procedure and documentation supports shared work.
`66`	Surgical team (multiple surgeons)	Use when a surgical team performs components of the procedure and institutional policy/payer allows team modifier.
`73`	Discontinued outpatient hospital/ASC prior to anesthesia	Use when scheduled TULSA is cancelled after patient preparation but before anesthesia induction.
`78`	Unplanned return to the operating room	Use when patient returns to the OR for a related procedure during the global period.
`80`	Assistant surgeon	Use when an assistant surgeon is documented and meets payer requirements for assistant-at-surgery payment.
`81`	Minimum assistant surgeon	Use when a minimal assistant contribution is documented and payer accepts `81`.

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
`2084P0800X`	Urology	Urologists commonly perform or coordinate TULSA procedures.
`208D00000X`	Radiation Oncology	Radiation oncologists may participate in image-guided prostate ablation planning and follow-up.
`207K00000X`	Diagnostic Radiology	Interventional and diagnostic radiologists provide MRI guidance and intra-procedural imaging.
`208100000X`	Surgical Oncology	Surgical oncologists with genitourinary focus may perform or consult on complex cases.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`C61`	Malignant neoplasm of prostate	Primary cancer diagnosis commonly treated with focal or whole-gland TULSA for localized prostate cancer.
`N40.0`	Benign prostatic hyperplasia with lower urinary tract symptoms	BPH with obstructive symptoms may be treated with TULSA in select patients seeking minimally invasive thermal ablation.
`N13.7`	Hydronephrosis with ureterovesical junction obstruction	May be a related urinary complication requiring drainage management before or after TULSA.
`N32.0`	Bladder pain syndrome	Relevant as a comorbid pelvic pain diagnosis that may affect peri-procedural management.
`R33.8`	Other retention of urine	Acute or chronic urinary retention can be an indication for prostate-directed therapy including TULSA in select contexts.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`52234`	Cystourethroscopy, with insertion of indwelling ureteral stent (if performed)	May be performed pre- or post-TULSA to secure urinary drainage or evaluate urethra/bladder.
`52000`	Cystourethroscopy, with urethral dilation and/or meatotomy (separate procedure)	May be performed prior to transurethral device insertion if urethral narrowing impedes transducer placement.
`72197`	MRI guidance for needle placement (percutaneous)	Related MRI guidance code representing advanced imaging support; MRI services for TULSA are integral to the procedure and imaging codes may be reported per payer rules.
`51701`	Irrigation of bladder, simple (catheter irrigation)	May be used post-procedure for bladder management if drainage catheters are placed.
`52310`	Cystourethroscopy, with removal of ureteral stent (if applicable)	May be performed if stents or temporary drains require later endoscopic removal.

CPT 55870: Electroejaculation and Semen Collection for Assisted Reproduction

CPT-55873-PROSTATE-CRYOABLATION-ULTRASOUND-GUIDED

CPT 55873: Ultrasound-Guided Prostate Cryoablation

CPT-55874-PROSTATE-BIODEGRADABLE-SPACE-INJECTION-IMAGE-GUIDED

CPT 55874: Image-Guided Prostate Biodegradable Spacer Injection

CPT-55875-PROSTATE-SEED-IMPLANTATION-BRACHYTHERAPY-NEEDLE-PLACEMENT

CPT 55875: Prostate Seed Implantation, Needle/Catheter Placement

CPT-55876-PROSTATE-FIDUCIAL-MARKER-PLACEMENT-FOR-RADIOTHERAPY

CPT 55876: Prostate Marker or Dosimetry Device Placement for Radiotherapy

CPT-55877-PROSTATE-IRE-ABLATION-PERCUTANEOUS

CPT 55877: Prostate Tumor Ablation with Irreversible Electroporation

CPT-55880-TRANSRECTAL-HIFU-PROSTATE-ABLATION

CPT 55880: Transrectal HIFU Ablation of Malignant Prostate Tissue

CPT-55881-TRANSURETHRAL-ULTRASOUND-ABLATION-PROSTATE-MRI-GUIDED

CPT 55881: Transurethral Ultrasound Ablation (TULSA) of Prostate Tissue

CPT-55899-MALE-GENITAL-SYSTEM-UNLISTED-PROCEDURE

CPT 55899: Unlisted Procedure, Male Genital System

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
`00`	No surgical modifier (placeholder)	Use when no other modifier applies to the professional/surgical service.
`22`	Increased procedural services	Use when work required is substantially greater than typical for TULSA (document rationale).
`23`	Unusual anesthesia	Use when general anesthesia is required and documentation supports medically necessary unusual anesthesia.
`50`	Bilateral procedure	Use when bilateral pelvic procedures are reported and payer accepts bilateral modifier for the service, if applicable.
`51`	Multiple procedures	Use when TULSA is performed with other distinct procedures on the same day; report primary procedure with `51` on secondary codes per payer rules.
`52`	Reduced services	Use when TULSA is partially reduced or discontinued and documentation supports reduced service.
`53`	Discontinued procedure	Use when TULSA is started but discontinued for documented patient safety reasons.
`62`	Two surgeons	Use when two surgeons of different specialties perform distinct portions of the procedure and documentation supports shared work.
`66`	Surgical team (multiple surgeons)	Use when a surgical team performs components of the procedure and institutional policy/payer allows team modifier.
`73`	Discontinued outpatient hospital/ASC prior to anesthesia	Use when scheduled TULSA is cancelled after patient preparation but before anesthesia induction.
`78`	Unplanned return to the operating room	Use when patient returns to the OR for a related procedure during the global period.
`80`	Assistant surgeon	Use when an assistant surgeon is documented and meets payer requirements for assistant-at-surgery payment.
`81`	Minimum assistant surgeon	Use when a minimal assistant contribution is documented and payer accepts `81`.

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
`2084P0800X`	Urology	Urologists commonly perform or coordinate TULSA procedures.
`208D00000X`	Radiation Oncology	Radiation oncologists may participate in image-guided prostate ablation planning and follow-up.
`207K00000X`	Diagnostic Radiology	Interventional and diagnostic radiologists provide MRI guidance and intra-procedural imaging.
`208100000X`	Surgical Oncology	Surgical oncologists with genitourinary focus may perform or consult on complex cases.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`C61`	Malignant neoplasm of prostate	Primary cancer diagnosis commonly treated with focal or whole-gland TULSA for localized prostate cancer.
`N40.0`	Benign prostatic hyperplasia with lower urinary tract symptoms	BPH with obstructive symptoms may be treated with TULSA in select patients seeking minimally invasive thermal ablation.
`N13.7`	Hydronephrosis with ureterovesical junction obstruction	May be a related urinary complication requiring drainage management before or after TULSA.
`N32.0`	Bladder pain syndrome	Relevant as a comorbid pelvic pain diagnosis that may affect peri-procedural management.
`R33.8`	Other retention of urine	Acute or chronic urinary retention can be an indication for prostate-directed therapy including TULSA in select contexts.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`52234`	Cystourethroscopy, with insertion of indwelling ureteral stent (if performed)	May be performed pre- or post-TULSA to secure urinary drainage or evaluate urethra/bladder.
`52000`	Cystourethroscopy, with urethral dilation and/or meatotomy (separate procedure)	May be performed prior to transurethral device insertion if urethral narrowing impedes transducer placement.
`72197`	MRI guidance for needle placement (percutaneous)	Related MRI guidance code representing advanced imaging support; MRI services for TULSA are integral to the procedure and imaging codes may be reported per payer rules.
`51701`	Irrigation of bladder, simple (catheter irrigation)	May be used post-procedure for bladder management if drainage catheters are placed.
`52310`	Cystourethroscopy, with removal of ureteral stent (if applicable)	May be performed if stents or temporary drains require later endoscopic removal.

CPT 55870: Electroejaculation and Semen Collection for Assisted Reproduction

CPT-55873-PROSTATE-CRYOABLATION-ULTRASOUND-GUIDED

CPT 55873: Ultrasound-Guided Prostate Cryoablation

CPT-55874-PROSTATE-BIODEGRADABLE-SPACE-INJECTION-IMAGE-GUIDED

CPT 55874: Image-Guided Prostate Biodegradable Spacer Injection

CPT-55875-PROSTATE-SEED-IMPLANTATION-BRACHYTHERAPY-NEEDLE-PLACEMENT

CPT 55875: Prostate Seed Implantation, Needle/Catheter Placement

CPT-55876-PROSTATE-FIDUCIAL-MARKER-PLACEMENT-FOR-RADIOTHERAPY

CPT 55876: Prostate Marker or Dosimetry Device Placement for Radiotherapy

CPT-55877-PROSTATE-IRE-ABLATION-PERCUTANEOUS

CPT 55877: Prostate Tumor Ablation with Irreversible Electroporation

CPT-55880-TRANSRECTAL-HIFU-PROSTATE-ABLATION

CPT 55880: Transrectal HIFU Ablation of Malignant Prostate Tissue

CPT-55881-TRANSURETHRAL-ULTRASOUND-ABLATION-PROSTATE-MRI-GUIDED

CPT 55881: Transurethral Ultrasound Ablation (TULSA) of Prostate Tissue

CPT-55899-MALE-GENITAL-SYSTEM-UNLISTED-PROCEDURE

CPT 55899: Unlisted Procedure, Male Genital System

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.

OpenPayer

CPT 55882: MRI-Guided Transurethral Ultrasound Ablation of Prostate Tissue

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Billing Code Overview

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CPT 55882: MRI-Guided Transurethral Ultrasound Ablation of Prostate Tissue

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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