August 8, 2025 

In this episode, Scott, Mark, and Ray discuss the troubling expansion of automatic E/M downcoding by payers—and what your practice can do about it. Mark explains which payers are leading this trend, how to identify if your claims are being affected, and practical steps to reverse these denials and protect revenue. Then, the team unpacks the recent news about UnitedHealthcare dropping certain Medicare Advantage plans, what it really means, and how to prepare your front desk and billing staff for potential patient coverage changes. Stay informed, stay proactive!

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August 1, 2025 

In this episode, Scott, Mark, and Ray answer coding questions submitted through the PRS Helpdesk. 

1. Pay er: Anthem BCBS
   State: NV
   Code/Codes: Tranurethral resection of bladder clot that was organized to facilitate removal
   Catagory: Other
2. Question: I'm looking for a CPT code for : transurethral resection of bladder clot that was organized t facilitate removal Pt was inpt and Dr tried to do a clot removal from the bladder, but was unsuccessful as the whole bladder was the clot. So he used a resectoscope to resect the clot into smaller pieces and then removed them with a ridid biopsy forceps. This procedure took over 2 hours. I need help with a CPT code that will accurately describe this procedure
3. Payer: N/A
   State: TX
   Code/Codes: N/A
   Catagory: Other
4. Question: Do you have info or prior podcast on billing for updated h/p prior to surgery if prior h/p done greater than 30 days before surgery? Appreciate help or directions to podcast if available. Sincerely, Irene McAleer, MD,JD,MBA [email protected] 948-610-9449 Sent from my iPhone
5. Payer: Mix
   State: Ohio
   Code/Codes: 57 vs. 25 modifier
   Catagory: Other
6. Question: When is best to use 25 vs. 57 same day procedure/OR - I thought anything requiring anesthesia would be OR procedure? Cysto/stent, cysto clot evaluation, etc would be 57 but is 25 more appropriate even if done in the OR?

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Marianne Desciose

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© 2025 Physician Reimbursement Systems, Inc.

July 25, 2025 

In this episode, Scott, Mark, and Ray answer coding questions submitted through the PRS Help Desk. 

1) Payor: Medicare
State: FL
Code/Codes: 52353-52 and 52332-59-51
Catagory: Kidney Stones

Question: If I have to abort a planned ureteroscopy and laser lithotripsy because the UO is too narrow to pass the ureteroscope so I place a stent. Can I bill the 52353-52 and 52332-59-51

2) Can you clarify what documentation is required to be able to code 51729? Is the length of the urethra required to be documented or is it just a possible element?

The AUA policy & Advocacy brief for Urodynamcis shows the example documentation of the UPP as, “ Urethreal Pressue Profile: The maximum urethral pressue profile was 45 cm of water with a functional urethral lenght of 2.75 cm. At 200cc, coughing was iniitated. There was no demonstrable leak of urine at 117 cm of water with abdominal straining.”

My provider is only documenting: Leak point pressure testing: volume tested: 150mL, Stress Induced DO: Absent Valsalva Leak Point Pressure: No Leak.

Is that enough to capture 51729?

Thank you for your assistance!

3) Can you tell me the best way to document and correctly bill for prostate biopsy using 55700/76942 and 76872?  I am told we are no longer getting paid for those.

4) What is the best way to document and code for placement of fiduciary markers under US guidance?

Thanks in advance

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Marianne Desciose

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Join the Urology Pharma and Tech Pioneer Group

Empowering urology practices to adopt new technology faster by providing clear reimbursement strategies—ensuring the practice gets paid and patients benefit sooner.

https://www.prsnetwork.com/joinuptp

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   The Thriving Urology Practice Facebook group.

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July 18, 2025 

In this episode, Scott, Mark, and Ray Painter break down their first impressions of the 2026 proposed Medicare physician fee schedule. From conversion factor changes and telehealth updates to significant RVU and facility payment shifts, they explore what’s in store for urology and what it all means for your bottom line.

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For APPs

For Coders, Billers, and Admins

PRS Billing and Other Services - Book a Call with Mark Painter or 
Marianne Desciose

Click Here to Get More Information and Request a Quote

Join the Urology Pharma and Tech Pioneer Group

Empowering urology practices to adopt new technology faster by providing clear reimbursement strategies—ensuring the practice gets paid and patients benefit sooner.

https://www.prsnetwork.com/joinuptp

Click Here to Start Your Free Trial of AUACodingToday.com

   The Thriving Urology Practice Facebook group.

The Thriving Urology Practice Facebook Group link to join:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/ThrivingPractice/ 

July 11, 2025 

In this special episode, Dr. Peter Bretan—president of the AACU—joins Scott, Mark, and Ray to share his journey from transplant surgeon to national urology advocate. He highlights the power of grassroots advocacy, the importance of local engagement, and AACU’s evolving mission to support all urology professionals.

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PRS Coding Courses

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For APPs

For Coders, Billers, and Admins

PRS Billing and Other Services - Book a Call with Mark Painter or 
Marianne Desciose

Click Here to Get More Information and Request a Quote

Join the Urology Pharma and Tech Pioneer Group

Empowering urology practices to adopt new technology faster by providing clear reimbursement strategies—ensuring the practice gets paid and patients benefit sooner.

https://www.prsnetwork.com/joinuptp

Click Here to Start Your Free Trial of AUACodingToday.com

   The Thriving Urology Practice Facebook group.

The Thriving Urology Practice Facebook Group link to join:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/ThrivingPractice/ 

June 27, 2025 

Scott, Mark, and Ray discuss how new FDA rulings—like the recent update for Rezūm—impact coverage, coding, and reimbursement. They walk through the layers of medical necessity, CPT codes, payer policies, and documentation strategies needed to ensure payment.

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PRS Coding Courses

For Urologist

For APPs

For Coders, Billers, and Admins

PRS Billing and Other Services - Book a Call with Mark Painter or 
Marianne Desciose

Click Here to Get More Information and Request a Quote

Join the Urology Pharma and Tech Pioneer Group

Empowering urology practices to adopt new technology faster by providing clear reimbursement strategies—ensuring the practice gets paid and patients benefit sooner.

https://www.prsnetwork.com/joinuptp

Click Here to Start Your Free Trial of AUACodingToday.com

   The Thriving Urology Practice Facebook group.

The Thriving Urology Practice Facebook Group link to join:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/ThrivingPractice/ 

June 20, 2025 

In this episode, Ray, Mark, and Scott answer questions that came into the PRS Helpdesk and give an update on Telehealth and where it stands.

1. Patient with BPH and bladder stones.  When treating both the BPH (N40.0) and bladder stones (N21.0) during the same surgery, is it appropriate to bill both 52649 {Laser enucleation of the prostate with morcellation, including control of postoperative bleeding, complete…….)} & 52317 and/or 52318 [Litholapaxy: crushing or fragmentation of calculus by any means in bladder and removal of fragments; …..]. There are no CCI edits in Coding today, so it appears they can be billed together.   Please explain why or why not?  
2. New to urology and would appreciate some knowledge in male fertility and general urology

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PRS Coding Courses

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For Coders, Billers, and Admins

PRS Billing and Other Services - Book a Call with Mark Painter or 
Marianne Desciose

Click Here to Get More Information and Request a Quote

Join the Urology Pharma and Tech Pioneer Group

Empowering urology practices to adopt new technology faster by providing clear reimbursement strategies—ensuring the practice gets paid and patients benefit sooner.

https://www.prsnetwork.com/joinuptp

Click Here to Start Your Free Trial of AUACodingToday.com

   The Thriving Urology Practice Facebook group.

The Thriving Urology Practice Facebook Group link to join:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/ThrivingPractice/ 

© 2025 Physician Reimbursement Systems, Inc.

June 13, 2025 

In this episode, Ray, Mark, and Scott discuss recent denial issues from Aetna and Humana and offer some possible solutions. They also revisit a question covered in Episode #234: billing for amniotic tissue grafts during prostatectomy procedures, outlining strategies to address denials effectively.

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Upper Track Urothelial Cancer (UTUC) Coding and Reimbursement Page

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PRS Billing and Other Services - Book a Call with Mark Painter or 
Marianne Desciose

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Join the Urology Pharma and Tech Pioneer Group

Empowering urology practices to adopt new technology faster by providing clear reimbursement strategies—ensuring the practice gets paid and patients benefit sooner.

https://www.prsnetwork.com/joinuptp

Click Here to Start Your Free Trial of AUACodingToday.com

   The Thriving Urology Practice Facebook group.

The Thriving Urology Practice Facebook Group link to join:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/ThrivingPractice/

1. June 6, 2025 

In this episode, Ray, Mark, and Scott welcome back Dr. John Lin to discuss topics brought up on the Thriving Urology Practice Facebook Group.

1) Just got a call from ER. 19 year-old cannot get an erection...

2) This notice came from the hospital last week regarding change in financial protocol about scheduled / elective surgical procedures.

Increased Patient Responsibility:

As is customary in the Phoenix market and in-line with other providers, we will move the down payment requirement to 50%. We will be increasing the required patient payment for deductibles and co-pays prior to the day of surgery from 20% to 50% of the estimated patient liability.

3) Our office will be beginning PAE {prostatic artery embolization) for BPH in the near future. This will be performed in the office, POS 11 by an interventional radiologist, who will manage the sedation and the performance of the procedure. We have not had to bill for conscious sedation in the office before. I was hoping to get some guidance on what codes should be investigated for the anesthesia portion (administration, meds, etc.) so we can better prepare ourselves for what is to come.

Bonus Topic

I received an email from a surgery center recently which stated the following: 

Recently, we have been using a larger number of disposable ureteroscopes which are very costly to the Center. In order to capture the code C9761 for reimbursement of the disposable flexible ureteroscopes, we need your dictation to reflect the usage of that scope and that suction/aspiration was used. 

A vendor’s representative has provided a few examples from other physicians that have resulted in successful reimbursement of these scopes. Below are the examples. 

• The op report documents a steerable and suction/aspiration was used. It says "A disposable single use flexible scope with steerable and suction/aspiration was used to improve stone-free rate."
• The op report documents only a scope using a suction feature. It says "A disposable flexible ureteroscope utilizing a suction feature was utilized for the procedure."

   If you are not already, please have your dictation reflect that you are using a disposable flexible ureteroscope with suction so that we can bill for reimbursement. As always, we appreciate your help with cost containment and appropriate reimbursement for the Center. Please let me know if have any questions or concerns

PRS Coding and Reimbursement Hub

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Upper Track Urothelial Cancer (UTUC) Coding and Reimbursement Page

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PRS Billing and Other Services - Book a Call with Mark Painter or 
Marianne Desciose

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Join the Urology Pharma and Tech Pioneer Group

Empowering urology practices to adopt new technology faster by providing clear reimbursement strategies—ensuring the practice gets paid and patients benefit sooner.

https://www.prsnetwork.com/joinuptp

Click Here to Start Your Free Trial of AUACodingToday.com

   The Thriving Urology Practice Facebook group.

The Thriving Urology Pract

May 30, 2025 

In this episode, Mark and Scott address upcoming significant changes to the prostate biopsy codes and provide guidance on correctly applying modifiers 25 and 59 when billing procedure 51798 and an E/M service. They also discuss coding considerations for the emerging practice of robotic-assisted vasectomies.

PRS Coding and Reimbursement Hub

Access the Hub

Jelmyto Coding and Reimbursement Page

Upper Track Urothelial Cancer (UTUC) Coding and Reimbursement Page

Free Kidney Stone Coding Calculator

Download Now

PRS Billing and Other Services - Book a Call with Mark Painter or 
Marianne Desciose

Click Here to Get More Information and Request a Quote

Join the Urology Pharma and Tech Pioneer Group

Empowering urology practices to adopt new technology faster by providing clear reimbursement strategies—ensuring the practice gets paid and patients benefit sooner.

https://www.prsnetwork.com/joinuptp

Click Here to Start Your Free Trial of AUACodingToday.com

   The Thriving Urology Practice Facebook group.

The Thriving Urology Practice Facebook Group link to join:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/ThrivingPractice/