CPT code 52344: Stricture treatment, ureteral stricture, ureteroscopic2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Texas
Reports endoscopic treatment of a ureteral narrowing when a ureteroscope or pyeloscope is used to visualize and treat the stricture.
CMS doesn’t publish an office rate for 52344 in Texas.
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
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On this page 9 sections
What 52344 covers
A urologist uses cystoscopy to access the ureter, then advances a ureteroscope or pyeloscope to directly visualize a ureteral stricture. Treatment may include dilation or an endoscopic incision, such as with a laser or electrocautery. The procedure is typically performed in a surgical facility for a narrowing that obstructs or impedes urine flow; the operative note should identify the stricture site and describe the endoscopic treatment performed.
Select this code when the treated narrowing is in the ureter and ureteroscopy and/or pyeloscopy is part of the procedure. Document the scope used, the location and laterality of the stricture, and the treatment method. CMS assigns a 0-day global period, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included. When related endoscopies are performed together, endoscopy family pricing applies. For bilateral procedures, modifier 50 is paid at 150%. Assistant-at-surgery services are not paid; co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted.
This summary was written with AI assistance from CMS physician fee schedule data and checked against the CMS billing rules shown here. Rates on this page come directly from CMS files.
Where 52344 pays more and less in Texas
The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.
8 of 8 payment localities
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Austin, TX | Unavailable | $325.52 |
| Beaumont, TX | Unavailable | $316.65 |
| Brazoria, TX | Unavailable | $319.36 |
| Dallas, TX | Unavailable | $322.24 |
| Fort Worth, TX | Unavailable | $321.97 |
| Galveston, TX | Unavailable | $320.92 |
| Houston, TX | Unavailable | $337.21 |
| Rest of Texas | Unavailable | $318.43 |
How the 52344 rate is calculated
Each of 52344’s three RVUs is multiplied by a geographic index (GPCI) for the payment locality, added up, and multiplied by the conversion factor. Drag the indexes or enter a ZIP to see what moves the rate.
How the rate is built · 52344
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work6.87
6.87 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense1.96
1.96 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.89
0.89 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
9.7200
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$324.66
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 52344
The CMS indicators that decide how 52344 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 52344
Stricture treatment, ureteral stricture, ureteroscopic
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | 000 | Same-day global: pre- and post-op care on the day of the procedure is included. |
| Multiple procedures | 3 | Endoscopy family rules apply. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 1 | Bilateral with modifier 50 pays 150% of the fee schedule amount. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 1 | Not paid (statutory restriction). |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Team surgery (66) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Professional/technical | 0 | Physician service: no professional/technical split. |
What modifiers do to the payment
Modifier 50 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
52344 without 50 · national facility
$324.66
Stricture treatment, ureteral stricture, ureteroscopic
52344-50 · Bilateral: 150%
$486.99
Both sides on one line with modifier 50 are paid at 150% of the fee schedule amount (subject to multiple-procedure rules with other procedures).
52344 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
4 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 52341Ureteral stricture treatmentCystoscopic approach
- Both address a ureteral stricture, but 52344 includes ureteroscopy and/or pyeloscopy. Choose 52341 when that component is not performed.
- 52345UPJ stricture incisionUreteropelvic junction
- This code is for treatment of a ureteropelvic junction stricture with ureteroscopy and/or pyeloscopy; 52344 is for a ureteral stricture.
- 52346Renal stricture treatmentWith ureteroscopy or pyeloscopy
- This code is for treatment of a renal pelvis stricture with ureteroscopy and/or pyeloscopy. Use 52344 when the treated stricture is in the ureter.
52344 billing questions
How is this different from 52341?
Use 52344 when the ureteral stricture is treated with ureteroscopy and/or pyeloscopy. Code 52341 represents ureteral stricture treatment without that ureteroscopic or pyeloscopic component.
Which code applies to a ureteropelvic junction stricture?
For treatment of a stricture at the ureteropelvic junction with ureteroscopy and/or pyeloscopy, consider 52345 rather than 52344. The documented stricture site determines the choice.
What should the operative note document?
Document the ureteral stricture's location and laterality, the use of ureteroscopy and/or pyeloscopy, and the treatment performed, such as dilation or incision.
How are related endoscopies priced when performed together?
CMS endoscopy family pricing applies when related endoscopies are performed together. The claim should reflect the procedures actually performed and documented.
Can modifier 50 be used for bilateral treatment?
Yes. CMS identifies this as a bilateral procedure; modifier 50 is paid at 150%.
Is assistant-at-surgery payment available?
No. CMS lists a statutory restriction on assistant-at-surgery payment for this code.
Where these rates come from
FeeBase calculates base physician payments from CMS work, practice-expense and malpractice RVUs, adjusted by each locality’s geographic indexes and the conversion factor. Services without a published rate are labeled, never given a made-up amount. Amounts are Medicare allowed amounts before claim adjustments: not a patient’s bill or a commercial rate.
CMS RVU26D · effective Oct 1, 2026 through the day before Jan 1, 2027
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