Cardiology Coding Alert

Reader Questions:

Modifier AI Belongs Inside Manual Cover

Question: The inside cover of my CPT® manual shows modifier A1 for principal physician. I thought this was supposed to be modifier AI. Which is correct?Utah SubscriberAnswer: Modifier AI (letter A, letter I) is appropriate for "Principal physician of record." Printing A1 was an error, as indicated in the AMA's "Corrections in CPT® 2011" document at www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/physician-resources/solutionsmanaging-your-practice/coding-billing-insurance/cpt/aboutcpt/errata.page. The most recent update, as of printing time, was April 12, 2011.You should be aware also of the correction to the note under 36215, which should read, "For catheter placement for coronary angiography, see 93454-93461."And the second instruction above 75557 (Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging for morphology and function without contrast material) should read, "For cardiac catheterization procedures, see 93451-93572."Under +93662 (Intracardiac echocardiography during therapeutic/diagnostic intervention, including imaging supervision and interpretation [List separately in addition to code for primary procedure]), check the parenthetical instruction to "Use 93662 in conjunction with ..." As printed, the [...]
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