How To Use CPT Code 50592

CPT 50592 describes the percutaneous ablation of one or more renal tumors using radiofrequency heat. This article will cover the official description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information and billing examples.

1. What is CPT Code 50592?

CPT 50592 can be used to describe the percutaneous ablation of one or more renal tumors using radiofrequency heat. This code is used when a physician destroys kidney tumors by applying high-frequency electric currents through a percutaneous needle, which produces heat to destroy the tumor cells.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 50592 is: ‘Ablation, 1 or more renal tumor(s), percutaneous, unilateral, radiofrequency.’ This code is used for the destruction of renal tumors using radiofrequency heat applied through a percutaneous needle. If the procedure is performed bilaterally, modifier 50 should be appended to the code.

3. Procedure

1. In this procedure, the physician destroys one or more kidney tumors using radiofrequency heat applied through a percutaneous needle.
2. The patient is taken to the operating room, and local anesthetic is injected to numb the area.
3. The patient is positioned on a CT table, and CT scans are repeated to identify the location of the tumors.
4. A thin needle is inserted into the tumor, ensuring that no major blood vessels are damaged.
5. The needle is connected to a radiofrequency generator, which delivers high-frequency electric currents to destroy the tumor cells.
6. Imaging guidance may be used to monitor the destruction of the tumor.
7. If there are multiple tumors, additional needles may be carefully repositioned to ensure complete destruction.
8. Once the ablation procedure is complete, the needle is removed, and the open area of the skin is covered with a dressing.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT 50592 is performed on patients with one or more renal tumors that require ablation. The procedure is unilateral, meaning it is performed on either the right or left kidney. The use of radiofrequency heat through a percutaneous needle is the qualifying circumstance for this code.

5. When to use CPT code 50592

CPT code 50592 should be used when a physician performs percutaneous ablation of one or more renal tumors using radiofrequency heat. This code is appropriate for unilateral procedures. If the procedure is performed bilaterally, modifier 50 should be appended to the code.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 50592, the physician must document the following information:

• Number of renal tumors ablated
• Procedure performed percutaneously
• Use of radiofrequency heat
• Date of the procedure
• Location of the tumors
• Confirmation that no major blood vessels were damaged
• Details of imaging guidance, if used
• Confirmation of complete tumor destruction
• Signature of the performing physician

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT 50592, ensure that the procedure is performed percutaneously and uses radiofrequency heat. If the procedure is performed bilaterally, append modifier 50 to the code. It is important to note that radiological monitoring during the surgery can be reported separately. For percutaneous cryotherapy ablation, a different code should be used (50593).

8. Historical information

CPT 50592 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 2006. There have been no updates or changes to the code since its addition.

9. Examples

1. A physician performing percutaneous ablation of a renal tumor using radiofrequency heat.
2. A patient undergoing the destruction of multiple renal tumors in the left kidney using percutaneous radiofrequency ablation.
3. A physician using radiofrequency heat to ablate a renal tumor in the right kidney of a patient.
4. A percutaneous ablation procedure performed on a patient with a large renal tumor using radiofrequency heat.
5. A physician performing the destruction of a renal tumor in the left kidney using percutaneous radiofrequency ablation.
6. A patient undergoing the ablation of multiple renal tumors in the right kidney using radiofrequency heat.
7. A physician using percutaneous radiofrequency ablation to destroy a renal tumor in the left kidney of a patient.
8. A percutaneous ablation procedure performed on a patient with multiple renal tumors using radiofrequency heat.
9. A physician performing the destruction of a renal tumor in the right kidney using percutaneous radiofrequency ablation.
10. A patient undergoing the ablation of a large renal tumor in the left kidney using radiofrequency heat.