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Orthopedic Coding Alert

Coding Tips:

Discern Views, Type for Correct Upper Limb X-Ray Coding

Published on Mon May 09, 2011

Views and modifiers in diagnostic X-rays can influence your paymentsYou code lots of diagnostic X-rays, but are you sure you're appropriately reporting these? The key to accuracy in X-ray coding is the number of views, not the number of films and appending the correct modifiers for bilateral views, distinct services, and the repeat procedures.Count the Views, Identify LocationYou may fall prey to an audit if you are poor at reporting the views in X-rays. Scan the procedure note for the number of views required to appropriately visualize the anatomy of the injured area. Doing so will influence your reimbursement: You get $34.31 if you report code 73080 (Radiologic examination, elbow; complete, minimum of 3 views) and $28.54 if you report code 73070 (Radiologic examination, elbow; 2 views).Where the number of views is not mentioned, you may report the code that mentions the minimum number of views. "Documenting an X-ray interpretation [...]
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