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Official Description

Simple cystometrogram (CMG) (eg, spinal manometer)

© Copyright 2026 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

A cystometrogram (CMG) is a diagnostic procedure utilized to assess the functional capacity of the bladder, specifically measuring bladder capacity and storage pressures. This evaluation is crucial for diagnosing various urological conditions, including urinary incontinence, difficulties with urination, and neurogenic bladder disorders. The procedure begins with the patient emptying their bladder, after which the volume of urine is recorded. Following this, the urethra is prepared by cleansing it with an antiseptic solution to minimize the risk of infection. A sterile catheter equipped with a sensor is then carefully inserted through the urethra into the bladder. Once in place, the bladder is filled with sterile saline, and the physician engages the patient in a dialogue to assess their sensations during the filling process, including feelings of fullness, pain, urgency, and any instances of leakage. The simple cystometrogram (CPT® Code 51725) specifically employs a spinal manometer or relies on visual observation of the fluid column entering the bladder to measure these parameters. During the procedure, the patient may be instructed to cough or strain, which helps the physician evaluate any potential stress incontinence by increasing abdominal pressure. It is important to note that while the simple CMG focuses on bladder capacity and storage pressures, it does not measure emptying pressures, which are not assessed in either simple or complex CMG procedures.

© Copyright 2026 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The cystometrogram (CMG) is indicated for the evaluation of various urological conditions. The following are the primary indications for performing a simple cystometrogram (CPT® Code 51725):

  • Urinary Incontinence - This condition involves the involuntary loss of urine, which can significantly impact a patient's quality of life.
  • Difficulty with Urination - Patients experiencing challenges in initiating or maintaining urination may require assessment to determine underlying causes.
  • Neurogenic Bladder - This condition arises from nerve damage affecting bladder control, necessitating evaluation to guide management strategies.

2. Procedure

The procedure for a simple cystometrogram involves several key steps, each critical for accurate measurement and assessment of bladder function. The following outlines the procedural steps:

  • Step 1: Patient Preparation - The patient is first instructed to empty their bladder completely. The volume of urine expelled is measured and recorded, providing a baseline for the procedure.
  • Step 2: Urethral Cleansing - To reduce the risk of infection, the urethra is cleansed with an antiseptic solution. This step is essential for maintaining sterility during catheter insertion.
  • Step 3: Catheter Insertion - A sterile catheter, which is equipped with a sensor, is carefully inserted through the urethra and into the bladder. This catheter is crucial for measuring bladder pressures during the procedure.
  • Step 4: Bladder Filling - Once the catheter is in place, the bladder is filled with sterile saline. This filling process is monitored closely, as it is essential for evaluating bladder capacity and storage pressures.
  • Step 5: Patient Sensation Assessment - Throughout the filling process, the physician queries the patient regarding their sensations, including feelings of fullness, pain, urgency, and any leakage. This feedback is vital for understanding the patient's bladder function.
  • Step 6: Stress Incontinence Evaluation - The patient may be asked to cough or strain during the procedure. This action increases abdominal pressure and allows the physician to assess for any stress incontinence that may occur.

3. Post-Procedure

After the completion of the simple cystometrogram, the patient may be monitored for any immediate discomfort or complications. It is important to ensure that the patient is stable before discharge. Patients are typically advised to drink fluids to help flush out the saline used during the procedure. They may also be informed about potential post-procedure symptoms, such as mild discomfort or a burning sensation during urination, which should resolve shortly. If any unusual symptoms occur, such as severe pain or bleeding, patients are instructed to contact their healthcare provider promptly. Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to discuss the results of the CMG and any necessary further evaluations or treatments based on the findings.

Short Descr SIMPLE CYSTOMETROGRAM
Medium Descr SIMPLE CYSTOMETROGRAM
Long Descr Simple cystometrogram (CMG) (eg, spinal manometer)
Status Code Active Code
Global Days 000 - Endoscopic or Minor Procedure
PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) 1 - Diagnostic Tests for Radiology Services
Multiple Procedures (51) 2 - Standard payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply.
Bilateral Surgery (50) 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does NOT apply.
Physician Supervisions 09 - Concept does not apply.
Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) 0 - Payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure...
Co-Surgeons (62) 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Team Surgery (66) 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Diagnostic Imaging Family 99 - Concept Does Not Apply
APC Status Indicator Procedure or Service, Multiple Reduction Applies
ASC Payment Indicator Office-based surgical procedure added to ASC list in CY 2008 or later with MPFS nonfacility PE RVUs; payment based on MPFS nonfacility PE RVUs.
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P6C - Minor procedures - other (Medicare fee schedule)
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 200 - Nonoperative urinary system measurements
26 Professional component: certain procedures are a combination of a physician or other qualified health care professional component and a technical component. when the physician or other qualified health care professional component is reported separately, the service may be identified by adding modifier 26 to the usual procedure number.
51 Multiple procedures: when multiple procedures, other than e/m services, physical medicine and rehabilitation services or provision of supplies (eg, vaccines), are performed at the same session by the same individual, the primary procedure or service may be reported as listed. the additional procedure(s) or service(s) may be identified by appending modifier 51 to the additional procedure or service code(s). note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d).
58 Staged or related procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was: (a) planned or anticipated (staged); (b) more extensive than the original procedure; or (c) for therapy following a surgical procedure. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 58 to the staged or related procedure. note: for treatment of a problem that requires a return to the operating/procedure room (eg, unanticipated clinical condition), see modifier 78.
59 Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25.
TC Technical component; under certain circumstances, a charge may be made for the technical component alone; under those circumstances the technical component charge is identified by adding modifier 'tc' to the usual procedure number; technical component charges are institutional charges and not billed separately by physicians; however, portable x-ray suppliers only bill for technical component and should utilize modifier tc; the charge data from portable x-ray suppliers will then be used to build customary and prevailing profiles
52 Reduced services: under certain circumstances a service or procedure is partially reduced or eliminated at the discretion of the physician or other qualified health care professional. under these circumstances the service provided can be identified by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 52, signifying that the service is reduced. this provides a means of reporting reduced services without disturbing the identification of the basic service. note: for hospital outpatient reporting of a previously scheduled procedure/service that is partially reduced or cancelled as a result of extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well-being of the patient prior to or after administration of anesthesia, see modifiers 73 and 74 (see modifiers approved for asc hospital outpatient use).
53 Discontinued procedure: under certain circumstances, the physician or other qualified health care professional may elect to terminate a surgical or diagnostic procedure. due to extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient, it may be necessary to indicate that a surgical or diagnostic procedure was started but discontinued. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 53 to the code reported by the individual for the discontinued procedure. note: this modifier is not used to report the elective cancellation of a procedure prior to the patient's anesthesia induction and/or surgical preparation in the operating suite. for outpatient hospital/ambulatory surgery center (asc) reporting of a previously scheduled procedure/service that is partially reduced or cancelled as a result of extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient prior to or after administration of anesthesia, see modifiers 73 and 74 (see modifiers approved for asc hospital outpatient use).
78 Unplanned return to the operating/procedure room by the same physician or other qualified health care professional following initial procedure for a related procedure during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that another procedure was performed during the postoperative period of the initial procedure (unplanned procedure following initial procedure). when this procedure is related to the first, and requires the use of an operating/procedure room, it may be reported by adding modifier 78 to the related procedure. (for repeat procedures, see modifier 76.)
79 Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: the individual may need to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was unrelated to the original procedure. this circumstance may be reported by using modifier 79. (for repeat procedures on the same day, see modifier 76.)
AG Primary physician
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
GV Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
GZ Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary
PD Diagnostic or related non diagnostic item or service provided in a wholly owned or operated entity to a patient who is admitted as an inpatient within 3 days
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
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