Summary & Overview
CPT 74485: Imaging Supervision & Interpretation for Ureteral/Urethral Dilation
CPT code 74485 describes the imaging supervision and interpretation provided during dilation (widening) of the ureters or the urethra, capturing both the technical and professional components of the imaging service. This code matters nationally because imaging guidance is integral to procedural safety and clinical outcomes for endourologic interventions; accurate coding affects billing clarity, claims adjudication, and quality measurement related to procedural imaging.
Key payers in the coverage landscape include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find an overview of how this code is used clinically and operationally, plus what to expect in payer coverage language and common modifier use. The publication covers benchmarks for utilization where available, common billing patterns tied to imaging supervision and interpretation, and pertinent policy updates that influence coding and payment decisions.
This resource provides clinicians, coders, and policy analysts a concise reference on clinical context for ureteral and urethral dilation imaging, typical sites of service, and the role of CPT code 74485 in claims reporting. Data not available in the input is identified where applicable in the detailed sections.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 74485 represents the imaging supervision and interpretation performed by a provider for the dilation (widening) of the ureters or the urethra. This code denotes that both the professional and technical components of imaging supervision and interpretation are included for the dilatation procedure.
Service Type: Imaging supervision and interpretation for ureteral or urethral dilation
Typical Site of Service: Hospital outpatient department, ambulatory surgical center, or radiology/imaging suite associated with procedural dilation of the ureters or urethra
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A middle-aged patient presents with progressive flank pain and hydronephrosis identified on ultrasound. The urology team schedules a ureteral dilation (ureteral or urethral dilation) procedure with fluoroscopic guidance to relieve a suspected ureteral stricture after intravenous contrast studies confirm focal narrowing. The patient is evaluated pre-procedure by the performing physician, consents for the interventional procedure, and is taken to an interventional radiology or operating room suite equipped with fluoroscopy. During the procedure, the provider supervises and interprets continuous imaging to guide passage of guidewires, balloon catheters, or dilators through the ureter or urethra to achieve luminal widening. The service represented by 74485 is billed to reflect the combined technical and professional components for imaging supervision and interpretation during this dilation procedure. Typical sites of service include an ambulatory surgery center, hospital operating room, or interventional radiology suite. Post-procedure imaging review and a documented interpretive report complete the imaging service workflow.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
26 | Professional component | Use when billing only the physician interpretation portion of the imaging service separated from the technical component. |