CPT 52332: Cystoscopy with Indwelling Ureteral Stent, Bilateral Billing and Edits
52332 reports a cystoscopy in which an indwelling ureteral stent, one that stays in place after the procedure, is inserted. It is bilateral-eligible on the fee schedule, so stents in both ureters are one line with modifier 50, and a temporary stent used during another scope is not reported with it.
Written by Salman Saeed, CEO and Co-Founder · Reviewed by a Certified Medical Coder · Last reviewed October 2026In short: 52332 has a bilateral indicator of 1, so two stents go on one line with modifier 50 and 1 unit. NCCI limits it to self-retaining stents, not a temporary stent passed during ureteroscopy, and bars it with 52005 for the same ureter.
What Does CPT 52332 Report?
52332 reports cystoscopy with insertion of an indwelling ureteral stent, of the double-J type. CMS labels it "Cystoscopy and treatment", the label it also gives 52310 and 52320, so the label does not identify the code. NCCI Chapter VII, section C, item 20, says it describes insertion of a self-retaining indwelling stent.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Status, global (RVU26D) | A, 000 days |
| Multiple procedure indicator, base | 3, endoscopic base 52000 |
| Bilateral indicator | 1, the 150 percent adjustment applies |
| Assistant at surgery indicator | 1, may not be paid |
| MUE, effective October 1, 2026 | 1, indicator 2 (policy), rationale "CMS Policy" |
| ASC, October 2026 addendum AA | A2, discounting applies, weight 30.5923, rate $1,723.02 |
How Do I Bill Stents in Both Ureters?
Report 52332 once, with modifier 50 and 1 unit. The file's bilateral indicator of 1 means the standard adjustment applies, and Claims Processing Manual chapter 12, section 40.7, says to report such a procedure as a single line with modifier 50 even though CPT guidance says two lines. Medicare pays the lower of the billed amount or 150 percent of the fee schedule amount. See modifier 50.
A fee schedule amount of $1,000 for a single stent makes the bilateral limit $1,500. A claim billed at $2,400 on one 52332-50 line is paid on $1,500. Billing two lines of 52332 instead runs into the MUE of 1 per date of service.
Other payers can differ, so check each payer's policy. The manual itself notes that CPT guidance bills bilateral procedures as two lines, and the MUE rationale here is "CMS Policy", so the Medicare answer is the one line.
When Is a Stent Not Billable as 52332?
52332 is not reported for a temporary stent. NCCI Chapter VII, item 20, says the insertion and removal of a temporary ureteral catheter or stent during a diagnostic or therapeutic cystourethroscopy with ureteroscopy or pyeloscopy, such as 52320 to 52330 and 52334 to 52355, is not separately reportable. Item 20 also bars 52005 and 52007 with that work.
The second limit is by ureter. Item 20 says 52332 and 52005 are not separately reportable for the same ureter at the same encounter. Item 26 adds that a stent placed to keep a ureter open after an anastomosis or an incision, as in a nephrectomy or cystectomy, is integral to that surgery.
A stent removal has its own limit. Item 23 says 52310 and 52315 carry the "separate procedure" designation and are not reported with other cystourethroscopy codes at the same encounter.
How Does Medicare Pay 52332 with Another Scope Code?
52332 is a member of the 52000 family, so Medicare pays the highest-valued code plus the difference between the next code and the base. Claims Processing Manual chapter 12, section 40.6, applies this to multiple procedure indicator 3. The diagnostic 52000 is not billed with it, because NCCI item 10 says surgical endoscopy includes diagnostic endoscopy.
An ASC claim takes the 50 percent multiple procedure discount for other covered procedures in the session (chapter 14, section 40.5).
How Does 52332 Appear on the Claim?
On the CMS-1500, 52332 goes in Item 24D with 50 beside it for both sides, or RT or LT for one, 1 unit in Item 24G and the place of service in Item 24B. When the same-ureter edit with 52005 applies, name each side with RT, LT or XS. The 000 global means a separate visit takes modifier 25, as in urology billing. Compare the bladder scan 51798.
Where Do 52332, Side and the Stent Go on the Form?
A cystoscopy with a temporary ureteral stent is one line, 52332 in Item 24D with RT or LT when one side is stented and 1 unit in Item 24G. RVU26D sets the bilateral indicator to 1, so both sides reported on the same day are paid with the 150% rule. Item 24E points to the ureteral diagnosis, such as a stone.
On the hospital bill, the revenue code is in FL 42, 52332 in FL 44, the date in FL 45 and units in FL 46. The file shows multiple-procedure indicator 3 and the MUE table allows 1 per date with indicator 2.
Example: A patient with an obstructing right ureteral stone has a stent on 10/13. The line is 52332 RT, pointer A (N20.1), 1 unit, $720.00. A side modifier that does not match the operative note is the first thing a reviewer checks.
Why Is 52332 Denied?
| Code | What X12 says | What usually causes it |
|---|---|---|
| CARC 97 | The benefit is included in the payment for another service already adjudicated | 52005 or a temporary stent billed with the scope |
| CARC 4 | The procedure code is inconsistent with the modifier used | 50 and RT or LT both on the line |
| CARC 151 | Payment adjusted because the information submitted does not support this many services | Two units or two lines for both ureters |
| CARC 59 | Processed based on multiple or concurrent procedure rules | A reduction under the family rule, not a denial |
If these denials keep coming back, our denial management team can work them.
Related Codes
- Physician Fee Schedule relative value files, RVU26D (October 2026) · CMS
- Medicare NCCI Medically Unlikely Edits, practitioner services table, effective 10-01-2026 · CMS
- ASC payment rates and addenda, October 2026 Addenda AA and DD1 · CMS
- 2026 NCCI Medicare Policy Manual, Chapter VII: Urinary, Male Genital, Female Genital, Maternity Care and Delivery Systems · CMS
- Medicare Claims Processing Manual, Chapter 12: Physicians/Nonphysician Practitioners · CMS
- Medicare Claims Processing Manual, Chapter 14: Ambulatory Surgical Centers · CMS
- Medicare Claims Processing Manual, Chapter 26: Completing and Processing Form CMS-1500 Data Set · CMS
- Claim Adjustment Reason Codes · X12
- Medicare Claims Processing Manual, Chapter 25: Completing and Processing the Form CMS-1450 Data Set · CMS
We check every rule, code and deadline against the official source. See our editorial policy.
Common Questions
Straight answers from the team that does the work.
Ask a billing lead directly. A 20-minute call, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm Eastern.
01How do I bill cystoscopy with ureteral stent?
Report 52332 for an indwelling, self-retaining stent, with 1 unit in Item 24G. Use modifier 50 for both ureters on one line. Do not add 52000, and do not add 52005 for the same ureter. A temporary stent during ureteroscopy is not billed.
02Can I bill 52332 for a temporary stent during ureteroscopy?
No. NCCI Chapter VII, item 20, says insertion and removal of a temporary ureteral stent or catheter during a cystourethroscopy with ureteroscopy or pyeloscopy is not separately reportable. 52332 is for a self-retaining indwelling stent that stays in the patient after the procedure.
03Does 52332 take modifier 50?
Yes for both sides on Medicare. The October 2026 fee schedule file gives 52332 a bilateral indicator of 1, and chapter 12, section 40.7, says to report it as one line with modifier 50 and 1 unit, paid at the lower of the billed amount or 150 percent.
04Can I bill 52332 and 52005 together?
Not for the same ureter at the same encounter, per NCCI Chapter VII, item 20. They can be reported together only when the work is on different ureters, with side modifiers such as RT, LT or XS to show it.
05What is the MUE for 52332?
The practitioner MUE table effective October 1, 2026 lists 1 per date of service, with adjudication indicator 2 and the rationale CMS Policy. Bilateral stents therefore go on one line with modifier 50 and a single unit, not as two units or two lines.
Stent Claims Denied or Cut by Edits?
We check modifier 50, side modifiers and the temporary stent rule before submission.