51700 Irrigation of bladder
Also known as: bladder irrigation, bladder lavage, CBI
Irrigation of bladder, mechanical cleansing or therapeutic irrigation of bladder to remove debris, blood clots, or sediment.
In Plain Language
washing out the bladder
Clinical Context
Therapeutic procedure for hematuria, blood clot evacuation, or post-operative bladder cleaning. Typically minor procedure.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 0.59 |
| Total RVU | 0.59 |
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 0.59, this code ranks in the 1st percentile among Surgery codes — 13.6x below the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 51700?
CPT 51700 (Irrigation of bladder) is a Surgery code. Irrigation of bladder, mechanical cleansing or therapeutic irrigation of bladder to remove debris, blood clots, or sediment.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 51700?
The work RVU for CPT 51700 is 0.59. This code is primarily used by Urology, Critical Care.
When is CPT 51700 used?
Therapeutic procedure for hematuria, blood clot evacuation, or post-operative bladder cleaning. Typically minor procedure.
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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.