51585 Cystectomy Medicare reimbursement rates in Maine

51585 covers complete surgical removal of the bladder, bilateral pelvic lymph node dissection, and urinary diversion by connecting the ureters to the sigmoid colon or creating a ureterostomy. Urologists typically perform this major operation in a hospital operating room, often for bladder cancer requiring definitive surgery. The selected diversion must match the operative report; this code does not describe an ileal conduit or continent pouch.

Report the code when the surgeon performs all three elements. Documentation should identify complete bladder removal, bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy, and the diversion method. The diversion work is included in the code. The 90-day global period includes the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care. When multiple procedures occur in one session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and others at 50%. The code is priced as bilateral, so modifier 50 does not increase payment. Assistant-at-surgery services may be paid; co-surgeons require supporting documentation, and team surgery is not permitted.