Orthopedic Coding Alert

Question: Encounter notes indicate that the provider performed a right wrist arthrography, with radiological supervision and interpretation noted. The provider also used fluoroscopic guidance for needle placement. The X-ray occurred at the local hospital using their X-ray equipment. How should I code this encounter?

Montana Subscriber

Answer: On your claim, report:

• 73115 (Radiologic examination, wrist, arthrography, radiological supervision and interpretation) for the wrist X-ray.
• Modifier 26 (Professional component) appended to 73115 to show that you are only coding for the provider’s services, not the X-ray equipment that the hospital owns.
• Modifier RT (Right side) appended to 73115 to indicate laterality for the X-ray.

No fluoroscopy? You would not be able to code separately for fluoroscopy with +77002 (Fluoroscopic guidance for needle placement (eg, biopsy, aspiration, injection, localization device) (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)). In the notes below the descriptor for 73115, CPT^® states “Do not report +77002 in conjunction with 73115.”