Drainage
Nephrostomy Tube Placement
Nephrostomy Tube Placement is a minimally invasive, image-guided procedure used to treat kidney blockage (hydronephrosis).
Devices used in PCN
Alternatives to PCN
- Nephroureteral Stent (PCNU) Placement
- Cystoscopic ureteral stent
- Treating the stone, stricture or tumor causing the blockage
How much does PCN cost?
Medicare national averages for CPT 50432 (Placing a nephrostomy catheter in the abdomen using imaging guidance). The total bill has two parts: the professional fee paid to the physician, and the facility (technical) fee paid to the hospital or surgery center for the room, staff, equipment and supplies.
| Where it's done | Physician (professional) | Facility (technical) |
|---|---|---|
| Hospital outpatient department | $179 | $2,136 (OPPS) |
| Ambulatory surgery center (ASC) | $179 | $1,002 |
| Office-based lab (OBL) | $868 (one "global" payment that covers the physician and the office's supplies, equipment and staff) | |
Medicare physician fee schedule and hospital outpatient/ASC payment rates, national averages before geographic adjustment. Private insurance usually pays more; your share depends on your plan's deductible and coinsurance. Inpatient stays are paid differently (by DRG).
Related reading and technique references
This page is for education and does not replace advice from your doctor. Device information comes from the FDA's public databases and from manufacturers.