Correction

A statement in a recent “Coding Q&A” article discussing codes 52005 and 52332 was incorrect (Urology Times, January 2006, page 26). The original text stated: “No modifier is needed for Medicare because the two are not bundled. However, if you were billing this to a patient with private insurance, I would apply the -51 modifier to the retrograde, which is the lesser of the two procedures.” This is simply wrong, as anyone can see by looking at the bundling edits, according to Ray Painter, MD, the article’s author.

Not only will you need a modifier, but you will still be denied payment and will have to appeal the denial to get payment. Dr. Painter apologizes for any confusion this may have caused.