50590
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL)
Code Description
CPT code 50590 is used to report extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), a noninvasive procedure that uses focused shock waves to break kidney or ureteral stones into smaller fragments. The fragments can then pass naturally through the urinary tract.
ESWL is commonly performed as an outpatient procedure for appropriately sized urinary stones.
When to Use 50590
Common examples include:
kidney stones
ureteral stones
symptomatic urinary calculi
recurrent stone disease
obstructing urinary stones
Documentation Requirements
Documentation should include:
stone location
stone size
imaging guidance
treatment performed
patient tolerance
procedural findings
Common Billing Mistakes
Common billing mistakes include:
incorrect stone location documentation
insufficient procedural notes
reporting the wrong lithotripsy code
incomplete operative report
missing medical necessity
Related CPT Codes
52353
Ureteroscopy With Laser Lithotripsy
52356
Ureteroscopy With Laser Lithotripsy and Stent
50561
Renal Endoscopy With Stone Removal
FAQ
What is extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy?
ESWL uses shock waves outside the body to break kidney stones into smaller pieces.
Is ESWL considered surgery?
Yes. CPT 50590 is classified within the Surgery section of the CPT code set.
Does ESWL require an incision?
No. The procedure is noninvasive and does not require a surgical incision.
What types of stones are commonly treated?
Kidney and upper ureteral stones are commonly treated with ESWL.
Procedure Type
Kidney Stone Treatment
Body Area
Technique
Kidney and Ureter
Shock Wave Lithotripsy
