51701 Insert bladder catheter
Also known as: bladder catheterization, urinary catheterization, Foley catheter placement, Foley catheter, urinary catheter, bladder catheter insertion
Insertion of bladder catheter, placement of indwelling or temporary catheter for urinary drainage.
In Plain Language
placement of drain tube in bladder
Clinical Context
Basic catheterization for routine urinary drainage. Temporary catheterization for various conditions.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 0.49 |
| Total RVU | 0.49 |
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 0.49, this code ranks in the 1st percentile among Surgery codes — 16.3x below the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 51701?
CPT 51701 (Insert bladder catheter) is a Surgery code. Insertion of bladder catheter, placement of indwelling or temporary catheter for urinary drainage.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 51701?
The work RVU for CPT 51701 is 0.49. This code is primarily used by Urology, General Surgery.
When is CPT 51701 used?
Basic catheterization for routine urinary drainage. Temporary catheterization for various conditions.
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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.