50590 Fragmenting of kidney stone
Also known as: percutaneous lithotripsy, stone fragmentation, intracorporeal lithotripsy, lithotripsy ESWL, shock wave kidney stone treatment, shockwave lithotripsy
Percutaneous fragmentation (crushing) of a kidney stone using mechanical, ultrasonic, or other device technologies for stone disintegration.
In Plain Language
crushing of kidney stone through needle access; kidney stone breakdown
Clinical Context
Used during percutaneous nephrolithotomy for stone fragmentation, often combined with other procedures.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 9.53 |
| Total RVU | 9.53 |
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 9.53, this code ranks in the 57th percentile among Surgery codes — 1.2x the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 50590?
CPT 50590 (Fragmenting of kidney stone) is a Surgery code. Percutaneous fragmentation (crushing) of a kidney stone using mechanical, ultrasonic, or other device technologies for stone disintegration.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 50590?
The work RVU for CPT 50590 is 9.53. This code is primarily used by Urology, Interventional Radiology. It has a 90-day global period.
When is CPT 50590 used?
Used during percutaneous nephrolithotomy for stone fragmentation, often combined with other procedures.
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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.