Summary & Overview
HCPCS C1982: Pressure-Generating Catheter (One-Way Valve)
HCPCS Level II code C1982 denotes a pressure-generating catheter (for example, a one-way valve or intermittently occlusive catheter). Such devices are used to manage fluid drainage or deliver therapies where controlled pressure or unidirectional flow is clinically important. Nationally, accurate coding for pressure-generating catheters affects billing consistency, device utilization tracking, and appropriate device coverage decisions.
Key payers covered include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise explanation of the clinical purpose of the device, typical sites of service where it is used, and the common payer landscape for coverage considerations. The publication summarizes available benchmarks, outlines relevant billing and coding considerations under HCPCS Level II, and provides clinical context for when a pressure-generating catheter might be billed.
This analysis is intended for a national audience and focuses on practical coding identification, typical service settings, and the payer mix most often encountered for durable medical devices. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.
Billing Code Overview
HCPCS Level II code C1982 describes a catheter, pressure-generating, (e.g., one-way valve, intermittently occlusive). This device is designed to generate or regulate pressure within a drainage or delivery system using a one-way valve or intermittent occlusion mechanism.
Service type: Durable medical device / therapeutic catheter
Typical site of service: Outpatient settings or facility-based care where catheter-based pressure regulation is required (for example, ambulatory surgical centers, hospital outpatient departments, or clinic-based procedures)
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient is an adult with refractory urinary retention or recurrent bladder outlet obstruction who requires a pressure-generating intermittent or indwelling catheter with a one-way valve or intermittently occlusive design (C1982) to control urinary drainage and prevent reflux. The patient may present from an outpatient urology clinic, long-term care facility, or hospital floor. Clinic staff assess indication, infection status, and ability for self-catheterization. A urologist or trained advanced practice provider selects the catheter type, provides sterile insertion training or facility placement, and documents rationale (e.g., to manage high intravesical pressures, protect upper tracts, or allow controlled bladder cycling). Supply dispensing and wound/skin care instructions are completed prior to discharge or transfer to home health. Billing is submitted under HCPCS Level II code C1982 with appropriate modifiers reflecting payer, bilateral or multiple procedures, or unusual circumstances.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
52 | Reduced services | Use when a lesser service than described is performed (e.g., partial supply or limited insertion procedure). |