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Urinary catheterization procedures are common in numerous settings, from emergency departments to
provider offices. But coding for catheterization insertions and removals can be tricky. Check out
these tips to make sure your bladder cath claims float straight to full reimbursement.
The Coding Institute LLC, 2222 Sedwick Road, Durham, NC 27713, Eenterprise Contact: Sam Nair, Direct: 704 303 8150,
shyamn@codinginstitute.com
51701, Insertion of non-indwelling bladder catheter (e.g., straight catheterization for residual
urine)
Non-indwelling means the catheter isnt designed to stay in the bladder for an extended period of time.
In this procedure, a non-indwelling catheter is placed temporarily and removed, usually on the same
day. Report 51701 when a non-indwelling bladder catheter is inserted, then immediately removed after
urine is obtained for diagnosis purposes (but not for Medicare) or when a patient has a postvoiding
residual of urine in the bladder.
A Foley catheter is the most commonly used bladder catheter. This thin tube is passed into the bladder
via the urethra and left indwelling in the bladder for a period of time to drain urine. A patient who
presents with acute urinary retention might require insertion of an indwelling Foley; the patient would
then go home with the Foley in place.
51703, Insertion of temporary indwelling bladder catheter; complicated (e.g., altered anatomy,
fractured catheter/balloon)
Notice the use in 51703 of the term complicated. As always, coders should look to the providers
documentation for clues that the procedure was complicated. For example, notice whether the provider
had to pass the catheter over a guidewire or use a Coude catheter instead of a straight catheter, or a
Heyman dilator or a Councill-tipped catheter. Or, if the catheter itself malfunctions, perhaps with a
balloon that wont deflate because its valve doesnt work, the doctor may have to break the valve to get
the fluid out.
Contact Us:
Name: Sam Nair
Title: Associate Director
Email: shyamn@codinginstitute.com
Direct: 704 303 8150
The Coding Institute LLC, 2222 Sedwick Road, Durham, NC 27713, Eenterprise Contact: Sam Nair, Direct: 704 303 8150,
shyamn@codinginstitute.com