How To Use CPT Code 51736

CPT 51736 describes a procedure called uroflowmetry, which measures the rate at which a patient excretes liquid from the bladder. This article will cover the description, official details, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information and billing examples.

1. What is CPT Code 51736?

CPT 51736 is used to describe a procedure called uroflowmetry. This procedure measures the rate at which a patient excretes liquid from the bladder. It is typically measured in cubic centimeters per second, and the rate is calculated by dividing the volume by the time it takes to excrete the liquid.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 51736 is: ‘Simple uroflowmetry (UFR) (eg, stop-watch flow rate, mechanical uroflowmeter).’ This procedure involves the physician having the patient urinate into a funnel connected to an instrument that measures the urine flow.

3. Procedure

1. The physician instructs the patient to urinate into a funnel connected to an instrument that measures the urine flow.
2. The instrument records the volume of urine excreted and the time it takes for the patient to complete urination.
3. The physician calculates the flow rate by dividing the volume by the time.
4. Pre- and post-testing may be performed to assess any changes in the flow rate.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT 51736 is typically used when a physician needs to assess a patient who is experiencing symptoms of outlet obstruction, such as prostatic enlargement. It helps the physician determine how well the patient is responding to medication used to shrink the prostate. By comparing the flow rate before and during treatment, the physician can evaluate the effectiveness of the medication.

5. When to use CPT code 51736

CPT code 51736 should be used when a physician performs uroflowmetry to measure the rate of urine flow in a patient. It is important to note that this code should not be reported with other codes for flow studies, as reimbursement for flow studies includes pre- and post-testing, and only one unit can be billed.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 51736, the physician must document the following information:

• Reason for performing uroflowmetry
• Details of the procedure, including the instrument used
• Volume of urine excreted and time taken for urination
• Flow rate calculation
• Any pre- and post-testing performed

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT 51736, ensure that the procedure is performed by a physician and that the documentation requirements are met. It is important to note that this code should not be reported with other codes for flow studies, as reimbursement for flow studies includes pre- and post-testing, and only one unit can be billed.

8. Historical information

CPT 51736 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 1990. There have been no updates to the code since its addition.

9. Examples

1. A physician performs uroflowmetry on a patient with symptoms of prostatic enlargement to assess the effectiveness of medication.
2. During a follow-up appointment, a physician measures the flow rate of a patient who recently underwent treatment for urinary obstruction.
3. A physician uses uroflowmetry to monitor the progress of a patient with a history of bladder dysfunction.
4. As part of a comprehensive urological evaluation, a physician performs uroflowmetry to assess a patient’s urinary flow rate.
5. A physician measures the flow rate of a patient before and after a surgical procedure to evaluate the success of the intervention.
6. During a routine check-up, a physician performs uroflowmetry to screen for any abnormalities in a patient’s urinary flow rate.
7. A physician uses uroflowmetry to assess the impact of lifestyle changes on a patient’s urinary flow rate.
8. As part of a diagnostic workup, a physician performs uroflowmetry to gather information about a patient’s urinary function.
9. A physician measures the flow rate of a patient with recurrent urinary tract infections to identify any underlying issues.
10. During a post-operative visit, a physician performs uroflowmetry to ensure that the patient’s urinary flow rate has improved following the procedure.