50557 Kidney endoscopy & treatment
Also known as: percutaneous stone removal, nephroscopic treatment, percutaneous renal intervention
Percutaneous endoscopy of the kidney (renal endoscopy) with therapeutic treatment including stone removal, coagulation, or ablation.
In Plain Language
kidney stone removal with camera through needle; endoscopic kidney treatment
Clinical Context
Used for therapeutic stone removal or lesion treatment via percutaneous nephroscopic approach.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 6.44 |
| Total RVU | 6.44 |
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 6.44, this code ranks in the 42nd percentile among Surgery codes — 1.2x below the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 50557?
CPT 50557 (Kidney endoscopy & treatment) is a Surgery code. Percutaneous endoscopy of the kidney (renal endoscopy) with therapeutic treatment including stone removal, coagulation, or ablation.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 50557?
The work RVU for CPT 50557 is 6.44. This code is primarily used by Urology, Interventional Radiology.
When is CPT 50557 used?
Used for therapeutic stone removal or lesion treatment via percutaneous nephroscopic approach.
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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.