Orthopedic Coding Alert
Reader Question:
Go Deeper Into Code Book for Fuller Spine X-rays
Published on Fri Jan 06, 2023
Question: The provider performs a single-view X-ray of the spine that includes the entire thoracic and lumbar spine. The code I’m finding for this service is 72020, which is for a single level. How can I account for the entire spinal area? AAPC Forum Subscriber Answer: If you look further into that set of codes, you’ll find a better code than 72020 (Radiologic examination, spine, single view, specify level). On your claim, report 72081 (Radiologic examination, spine, entire thoracic and lumbar, including skull, cervical and sacral spine if performed (eg, scoliosis evaluation); one view). This will account for the X-ray of the entire thoracic and lumbar spine. 
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