Use 3 CPT, Modifier, and ICD-9 Code Pairs to Ace This X-Ray Claim

Decipher why you should include a seconding diagnosis.

Question: A 38-year-old patient presents to the emergency room with complaints of wheezing, coughing, and trouble catching her breath. After the nonphysician practitioner (NPP) performs a problem-focused history, the physician performs a detailed history and exam and discovers focal ronchi. The physician orders a two-view chest x-ray to check for upper respiratory infection (URI) The chest x-ray results reveal acute URI, and the ronchi clears up upon reevaluation. The patient is treated with antibiotics. How should I code this scenario?

Answer:You’ll submit two of each for this claim: CPT codes, modifiers,and ICD-9 codes. On the claim, report the following:

  • 71020 (Radiologic examination, chest, 2 views, frontal and lateral) for the x-ray
  • Modifier 26 (Professional component) appended 71020 to show that you are coding for the physician’s services only
  • 99284 (Emergency department visit for the evaluation and management of a patient, which requires these 3 key components: A detailed history; A detailed examination;and Medical decision making of moderate complexity….) for the E/M
  • Modifier 25 (Significant, separately identifiable evaluation and management service by the same physician on the same day of the procedure or other service) appended to 99284 show that the E/M and the x-rays were separate services
  • 465.9 (Acute upper respiratory infections of multiple or unspecified sites; unspecified site) appended to 71020 and 99284 to represent the patient’s URI
  • 786.7 (Symptoms involving respiratory system and other chest symptoms; abnormal chest sounds) appended to 71020 and 99284 to represent the patient’s focal ronchi.

Secondary Dx decoded: Even though the focal ronchi cleared up on reexamination, you should still include 786.7 on the claim. It will help paint a more lucid portrait of the patient’s condition, and can only strengthen your medical necessity case for the chest-x-ray.

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Radiology Medical Coders – Tighten Up Your LAP-BAND Coding

If your radiologist performs adjustments during the bariatric surgery’s global period, do this.

Question: Our radiologists perform percutaneous LAP-BAND adjustments. We report S2083 for the service and 77002 for the fluoroscopy. Is this the correct fluoroscopy code?

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Radiology Coding: CPT 2010 Breathes New Life Into Your Respiratory Coding

Master 32561’s guidelines to prevent a major units gaffe. Flip through the Surgery/Respiratory System section of your CPT 2010 manual, and you’ll see the coding committee has been hard at work adding to and revising your options. Discover the added cath removal code, the all new fibrinolytic agent instillation code, and the reshaped bronchoscopy descriptors, so [...] Related articles:

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Radiology Coding Challenge: Total Spine MRI Without Contrast

Question: Which CPT code should I use for a total spine MRI without contrast? Answer: You won’t find a single CPT code that describes a “total spine” MRI, but you may report a code for each region the radiologist examines: • 72141 — Magnetic resonance (e.g., proton) imaging, spinal canal and contents, cervical; without contrast material • 72146 — Magnetic resonance (e.g., [...] Related articles:

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HCPCS 2010: Make Room for New MRI Contrast Codes A9581, A9583

AdreView gets its own ‘A’ code, too. You can leave confusing “not otherwise classified” codes behind for a few more of the contrast agents that you use. For services on or after Jan. 1, be sure you’re using the product-specific codes detailed below. Not using the proper codes will lead to claim rejection, which means “not receiving [...] Related articles:

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How to Code for Screening Mammogram When Radiologist Finds Problem?

Watch out: Results don’t turn screening into diagnostic Question: A patient presented for a screening mammogram, and the radiologist determined the patient needed an ultrasound for a closer look. The patient returned for that test at a later date. Should I code the original mammogram as 77056 instead of 77057 because the radiologist found a possible [...] Related articles:

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Celebrate CT Colonography’s 2010 Move to Category I

But don’t assume the new codes will yield improved fees. Virtual colonoscopy coverage may be a mixed bag, but the AMA showed some confidence in the service by moving its codes from temporary Category III status to full-fledged Category I in 2010. The switch from Category III to Category I does offer some hope of better reimbursement [...] Related articles:

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Radiology Coding Education: Is 76705 OK for Back?

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Double Ultrasound Codes Spell Double Trouble With Auditors

Authorities scrutinize medical necessity for 76830 & 76856. The OIG is watching your ultrasound orders and code combinations — and it doesn’t like what it sees. Take note of these problem spots to keep your claims in the clear. An OIG audit of ultrasound services billed in 2007 found that nearly one in five ultrasound claims “had characteristics that raise [...] Related articles:

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Radiology Billing Checklist: Rules for Additional Tests without Treating Physician’s Order

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5 Lessons Radiology Coders Should Learn From CCI 15.3

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