Ambulatory Coding & Payment Report
Reader Questions: Finger and Toe Modifiers Don’t Count on Radiology Claims
Question: Can I use finger and toe modifiers with 73140 and 73660?
Wisconsin Subscriber
Answer: You should not use finger and toe modifiers with these codes unless your payer tells you otherwise.
The finger (F1-F9, FA) and toe (T1-T9, TA) modifiers should be used with nonradiographic surgical codes rather than 73140 (Radiologic examination, finger[s], minimum of two views) and 73660 (Radiologic examination; toe[s], minimum of two views).
Another clue that you don’t need to append the finger and toe modifiers to these codes is that each covers single or multiple digits, by referring to “finger(s)” and “toe(s).”
Example: Code 73140 covers “finger(s),” meaning that you should report this code whether the finger x-ray is of one finger or more. Adding multiple finger modifiers won’t increase your reimbursement, and potentially escalates your compliance risk if you report multiple units of 73140 with the digit modifiers.
- Published on 2007-05-24
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