“Effective January 1, 2023, anyone who performs a laparoscopic simple prostatectomy should be using CPT code 55867 to report that procedure,” says Jonathan Rubenstein, MD.
In this video, Jonathan Rubenstein, MD, discusses the new laparoscopic simple prostatectomy code CPT 55867. Rubenstein is compliance officer and medical director of coding and reimbursement, United Urology Group and Chesapeake Urology, in Towson, Maryland.
Transcript:
Another important update is the new laparoscopic simple prostatectomy code: CPT code 55867. Interestingly, I got a lot of questions this year that 55866 was eliminated because of 55867. This seemed to be a rumor that was going around. It's not true. 55866 is laparoscopic radical prostatectomy, which is done for cancer. 55867 is laparoscopic simple prostatectomy done for [benign prostatic hyperplasia]. Now, unlike our open simple prostatectomy codes, 55821 and 55831, which specify whether it's a retropubic or suprapubic approach, the laparoscopic approach is laparoscopic, so it doesn't matter what's done internally whether one chooses a retropubic or suprapubic approach. Once it goes laparoscopically, there's 1 code because the approach itself is laparoscopic. Effective January 1, 2023, anyone who performs a laparoscopic simple prostatectomy should be using CPT code 55867 to report that procedure.
This transcript was edited for clarity.
Medicare’s G2211 and thoughts on how to best use it in urology
May 1st 2024"We felt that it was important to again address this topic because we have received numerous questions regarding the correct use of this code and we have had some experience using the code now that it is active and been able to observe some of the initial payment processing by the payer," write Jonathan Rubenstein, MD, and Mark Painter.
Experts develop guide on online tools to reduce costs of urologic drugs
April 22nd 2024"At a time when patients are increasingly concerned about prescription drugs, this information will provide a useful starting point for making essential medications as affordable as possible," says Ruchika Talwar, MD.