50020 drainage perirnl/renal absc open
Also known as: renal abscess drainage, perinephric drainage, kidney abscess drainage
Open drainage of perinephric or renal abscess with incision and drainage.
In Plain Language
surgical drainage of infected fluid around kidney; opening and draining kidney infection
Clinical Context
Open surgical drainage of perinephric or renal abscess. Used for infected collections around or within kidney not amenable to percutaneous drainage.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 17.63 |
| Total RVU | 17.63 |
Est. Medicare Payment
National estimate based on 2026 CMS PFS Conversion Factor ($33.40). Actual payment varies by locality (GPCI adjustment).
Billing & Documentation
As a surgical CPT code, proper documentation must include the operative report detailing the procedure performed, patient positioning, approach, findings, and any complications. This code has a 90-day global period, which includes the day of the procedure, 1 day preoperative, and 90 days of postoperative care. Ensure the diagnosis code (ICD-10) supports medical necessity for the procedure.
How This Code Compares
With a work RVU of 17.63, this code ranks in the 78th percentile among Surgery codes — 2.2x the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 50020?
CPT 50020 (drainage perirnl/renal absc open) is a Surgery code. Open drainage of perinephric or renal abscess with incision and drainage.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 50020?
The work RVU for CPT 50020 is 17.63. This code is primarily used by Urology, General Surgery, Infectious Disease. It has a 90-day global period.
When is CPT 50020 used?
Open surgical drainage of perinephric or renal abscess. Used for infected collections around or within kidney not amenable to percutaneous drainage.
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CPT® is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association. Data sourced from CMS Physician Fee Schedule RVU26A. Descriptions, synonyms, and clinical context are original content by RVU Edge.