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Primary Care Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Discover Code for Thumb Radiology

Published on Mon Sep 15, 2003

Question: The Coder's Desk Reference says that CPT 73140 is for digits 2-5 excluding the thumb. But it doesn't have any thumb x-rays in its other descriptions. As far as I can tell, CPT doesn't make the same distinction. The manual contains no code specifically for the thumb - yet it doesn't say the hand includes the thumb. So, how should I report an x-ray of only the thumb and not the hand?

Michigan Subscriber Answer: You should report 73140 (Radiologic examination, finger[s], minimum of two views) for a thumb x-ray. CPT does not distinguish between the thumb and fingers. Code 73140 includes x-rays of all 10 fingers. The CDR is wrong in some circumstances, and this is one of them.
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