50553 Kidney endoscopy
Also known as: percutaneous nephroscopy with treatment, renal endoscopy with therapy, therapeutic nephroscopy
Percutaneous endoscopy of the kidney (renal endoscopy) with additional management, such as minor therapeutic intervention beyond visualization.
In Plain Language
camera examination of kidney with treatment; kidney endoscopy with intervention
Clinical Context
Used when diagnostic and simple therapeutic procedures (such as stone basket retrieval or biopsy) are performed simultaneously.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 5.83 |
| Total RVU | 5.83 |
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 0-day global period, meaning pre- and post-operative E&M visits are billable separately on the same day. Ensure the diagnosis code (ICD-10) supports medical necessity for the procedure.
How This Code Compares
With a work RVU of 5.83, this code ranks in the 39th percentile among Surgery codes — 1.4x below the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 50553?
CPT 50553 (Kidney endoscopy) is a Surgery code. Percutaneous endoscopy of the kidney (renal endoscopy) with additional management, such as minor therapeutic intervention beyond visualization.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 50553?
The work RVU for CPT 50553 is 5.83. This code is primarily used by Urology, Interventional Radiology.
When is CPT 50553 used?
Used when diagnostic and simple therapeutic procedures (such as stone basket retrieval or biopsy) are performed simultaneously.
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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.