Reader Question: 74246 and 74220

Question: Can 74246 (radiological examination, gastrointestinal tract, upper, air contrast, with specific high density barium, effervescent agent, with or without glucagon; with or without delayed films, without KUB) and 74220 (radiologic examination; espohagus) be billed together?

Ohio Subscriber

Answer: This has become a hot topic in many facilities. Code 74220 is bundled into 74246 and has a 0 indicator. The indicator means, There are no circumstances in which a modifier would be appropriate. The services represented by the code combination will not be paid separately. Therefore you will not be paid for both services if you bill them together.


- Published on 2001-04-01