How To Use CPT Code 50205

CPT 50205 describes the surgical procedure of renal biopsy, which involves the collection of a tissue sample from the kidney for further diagnostic examination. This article will cover the description, official description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information and billing examples.

1. What is CPT Code 50205?

CPT 50205 can be used to describe the surgical procedure of renal biopsy, where a physician makes an incision in the skin to expose the kidney and collects a tissue sample for biopsy. This code is used when the biopsy is performed through surgical exposure of the kidney, rather than percutaneously.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 50205 is: ‘Renal biopsy; by surgical exposure of kidney.’

3. Procedure

1. In this procedure, the patient is placed in the appropriate position and sedated under general anesthesia.
2. The physician makes a small incision in the skin to expose the kidney.
3. The perirenal muscles are cut, and the perirenal fat and surrounding fascia are dissected to reach the kidney.
4. A collecting needle is then utilized to gather the tissue sample required for biopsy.
5. After the biopsy, the collected tissue samples are sent to the laboratory for further examination and analysis.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT 50205 is performed when a renal biopsy is conducted through surgical exposure of the kidney. This procedure is typically reserved for cases where a percutaneous biopsy is not feasible or appropriate. It is important to note that this procedure requires a longer recovery time compared to percutaneous needle biopsy.

5. When to use CPT code 50205

CPT code 50205 should be used when a physician performs a renal biopsy by surgically exposing the kidney. It is important to ensure that the procedure meets the specific criteria outlined in the official description of the code.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 50205, the physician must document the following information:

• Indication for the renal biopsy
• Details of the surgical exposure of the kidney
• Date of the procedure
• Any complications or adverse events that occurred during the procedure
• Documentation of the tissue sample collected for biopsy
• Signature of the performing physician

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT 50205, ensure that the procedure meets the criteria specified in the official description. It is important to follow the appropriate coding guidelines and modifiers, if applicable, when reporting this code. Additionally, consider any specific billing requirements or restrictions set by insurance providers or payers.

8. Historical information

CPT 50205 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 1990. It was later designated as an Inpatient Only (IPO) procedure by Medicare in 2017.

9. Examples

1. A surgeon performs an open renal biopsy on a patient with suspected kidney disease.
2. A urologist surgically exposes the kidney to collect a tissue sample for biopsy in a patient with renal abnormalities.
3. A nephrologist performs a renal biopsy through surgical exposure of the kidney to diagnose a patient with unexplained kidney dysfunction.
4. A transplant surgeon conducts a renal biopsy during a kidney transplant surgery to assess the viability of the donated organ.
5. An interventional radiologist performs a percutaneous renal biopsy but switches to CPT 50205 due to technical difficulties encountered during the procedure.
6. A pediatric surgeon surgically exposes the kidney to collect a tissue sample for biopsy in a child with suspected renal abnormalities.
7. A surgical oncologist performs an open renal biopsy to determine the extent of cancer involvement in the kidney.
8. A nephrologist conducts a renal biopsy through surgical exposure of the kidney to evaluate a patient with suspected autoimmune kidney disease.
9. A urologist performs an open renal biopsy to investigate the cause of persistent hematuria in a patient.
10. A transplant surgeon surgically exposes the kidney to collect a tissue sample for biopsy in a patient with a history of kidney transplant rejection.