Ask Dr. Z

Here is my question:

The patient is coming into the Interventional Radiology Suite to have wires places and to then be taken to the OR to have a nephrolithiasis performed. The doctor performs a complete antegrade pyelogram. He then manipulates several wires to the stone and then sutures them in place.

The physician wants to charge a ureteral stent placement. We are a hospital, so charging a ureteral stent would require the appropriate C code. Can we charge for a ureteral stent when only a wire was placed?

I believe this would be part of the nephrolithiasis and we can only charge for the pyelogram. Who is correct?