51101 Drainage bladder by trocar/catheter
Also known as: percutaneous cystostomy, trocar drainage, suprapubic catheter
Drainage of bladder by trocar or catheter, percutaneous placement of drainage catheter via trocar technique for bladder decompression.
In Plain Language
placement of drainage tube in bladder
Clinical Context
Used for acute retention, inoperable cases, or when urethral catheterization contraindicated. Provides temporary or long-term drainage.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 0.99 |
| Total RVU | 0.99 |
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 0.99, this code ranks in the 4th percentile among Surgery codes — 8.1x below the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 51101?
CPT 51101 (Drainage bladder by trocar/catheter) is a Surgery code. Drainage of bladder by trocar or catheter, percutaneous placement of drainage catheter via trocar technique for bladder decompression.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 51101?
The work RVU for CPT 51101 is 0.99. This code is primarily used by Urology.
When is CPT 51101 used?
Used for acute retention, inoperable cases, or when urethral catheterization contraindicated. Provides temporary or long-term 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.