ED Coding and Reimbursement Alert

Question: The ED physician interpreted x-rays of both the right and left sides of a patient's pelvis. How should I report this, and which modifiers should I append to the x-ray interpretation codes? Do I need modifier 50 (Bilateral procedure) or LT and RT to indicate both sides?

Idaho Subscriber

Answer: For the physician's interpretation, you would report 72170 (Radiologic examination, pelvis; one or two views). The standard imaging of the pelvis includes both right and left sides, so only report the code once.
 
While the emergency department physician is interpreting x-rays of both sides of the patient's pelvis, modifiers LT (Left side) and RT (Right side) aren't appropriate in this scenario.