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Radiology Coding Alert

CPT® 2018:
Catch Up on These New and Revised CPT® Codes
Brace yourself for incoming changes to diagnostic, interventional specialties. If you are... Read more
ICD-10 Training:
Boost Your Diagnostic Skills, Code these 2 ENT Neoplasms
Apply your deductive reasoning skills to figure out these two tricky diagnoses. Coding ne... Read more
Modifiers:
Test Your 76/77 Knowledge with These 2 Scenarios
Focus on date of service, not date of interpretation, when making modifier determinations.... Read more
Reader Question:
Don't Assume Allergic Origin without Documentation
Question: A patient presents with acute otitis media of the left ear and an unspecifi... Read more
Reader Question:
Establish Practice Guidelines for Lung Opacities
Question: I'm coding a chest X-ray with an indication of shortness of breath, productive c... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Code Unspecified for Mass of Nasal Cavity
Question: A patient is scheduled to receive a CT maxillofacial without contrast for a... Read more
ICD-10 Training:
Focus on These Tips for Effective Allergy Coding
Don't make allergy diagnosis coding more difficult than it has to be. Diagnoses involving... Read more
CPT® 2018:
Prep Now for New 2018 CPT® Codes
Rely on this comprehensive list of all new diagnostic radiology CPT® changes. As all exp... Read more
ICD-10 Training:
Use these Examples, Boost Your CNS Neoplasm Coding Skills
Take these steps when coding intricate neoplasms of the central nervous system. Coding ne... Read more
Reader Question:
Familiarize Yourself with the Degrees of Asthma Severity
Question: How do I distinguish between mild, moderate, and severe persistent asthma d... Read more
Reader Question:
Don't Factor Number of Gestations with 76817
Question: The provider performs a transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasound of a fet... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Do Not Include Degenerative Diagnoses with Trauma Indications
Question: A patient receives a CT scan of the lumbar spine after trauma from a fall. ... Read more
Compliance:
Familiarize Yourself with These Coverage Guidelines for PET Scans
PET Scan pay hinges on diagnosis coding more than most procedures. When it comes to cover... Read more
ICD-10:
Identify these Degrees of Specificity within Rheumatoid Arthritis Coding
Apply these measures to boost your rheumatoid arthritis coding ability. You've got to be ... Read more
ICD-10:
Prep for More New and Revised ICD-10 Codes
Specificity is a theme, especially in coding breast lumps and pulmonary hypertension. As ... Read more
Reader Question:
Make No Assumptions Coding Fluid Collections of the Spine
Question: I have a patient status post-laminectomy. The provider states that there is... Read more
Reader Question:
Do Not Use Aftercare Codes When a 7th Character Applies
Question: The physician performed a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan on a patien... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Remember to Exclude Secondary Dx Codes in the Impression
Question: I am working on a chart with an impression documenting spondylosis causing ... Read more
ICD-10 Coding:
Stay on Top of These New and Revised ICD-10 Codes
Hit the ground running in October by planning ahead for these ICD-10 changes. Oct. 1, 201... Read more
Modifiers:
Follow these Rules for Bilateral Billing Made Easy
Know what situations call for use of modifier 50 versus LT/RT. An ongoing debate within t... Read more
CPT® Coding:
Focus on Technique, Findings with Renal Ultrasounds and Duplex Scans
Plus: Learn how duplex scan coding hinges on a set of specific terms. Depending on a pati... Read more
Reader Question:
Familiarize Yourself with Abdominal Ultrasound Anatomical Criteria
Question: I am working on a ultrasound (US) abdomen complete with the findings docume... Read more
Reader Question:
I.D. Appropriate Use of Technical, Professional Component
Question: Sometimes our provider will perform an X-ray in-house in addition to readin... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Follow These Rules on Coding Warthin's Tumors
Question: A patient presents for a Computerized Tomography (CT) maxillofacial with an... Read more
Coding Compliance:
Avoid Instances of Diagnostic Upcoding and Downcoding with These Tips
Follow these examples when the lines of correct diagnostic coding begin to blur. A good r... Read more
ICD-10 Coding:
Rely on Timeframes, Index for Sinusitis Coding
Make the correct choice between acute and chronic sinusitis codes. If the term chronic is... Read more
Diagnostic Criteria:
Recalibrate Your Stroke Coding Skills Using This Timetable
Some coders don’t take into account anything more than what’s offered in the d... Read more
Reader Question:
Code Carefully on Hematomas with No Known Trauma
Question: How do I code a hematoma of the gluteus medius? Florida Subscriber Answer... Read more
Reader Question:
Familiarize Yourself with Abdominal Ultrasound Anatomical Criteria
Question: I am working on a US Abdomen Complete with the findings documented as follo... Read more
Reader Question:
Keep Timeframes in Mind When Determining Sore Throat Chronicity
Question: A patient has come in with a sore throat for the past seven days. Would thi... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Use P Codes with a Diagnosis of Infant Cerebral Trauma
Question: An infant is brought to the operating room with a post-traumatic, intravent... Read more
MIPS:
Put MIPS into Action with This Plan
Confidently integrate MIPS following these steps. Last month, we gave you a foundation of... Read more
ICD-10 Coding:
Choose the Right Dx For These Non-indexable Spinal Diseases
Five examples of what to do when the index fails you. The transition from ICD-9 to ICD-10... Read more
CPT®:
Get Acclimated with AAA Ultrasound and Duplex Codes
Choose correctly between these abdominal aorta ultrasound/duplex scan codes. You’re... Read more
Reader Question:
Use These Tips to Correctly Code Nodule, Hyperthyroidism Combo
Question: A patient diagnosed with hyperthyroidism was found to have an additional si... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Know Difference Between Limited, Complete Fetal Ultrasounds
Question: You are working on a report of a fetal transabdominal ultrasound with a ges... Read more
Interventional Radiology:
Master the Art of Myelography Coding
Keys to deciphering myelography dictation reports Any experienced interventional radiolog... Read more
MIPS:
Maximize Payment Adjustments with MIPS
Boost your revenue by staying on top of MIPS compliance guidelines. The Merit-Based Incen... Read more
6 Easy Radiology Measures to Implement
Most specialties will be asked to submit six total measures including one outcome measure ... Read more
Angiography Coding:
Know When Payers Will Bundle Certain CTAs
Avoid the mistake of billing these two types of abdominal angiographies together. Physici... Read more
Reader Question:
Make a Good "Impression" with these DEXA dx Tips
Question: I am working on a report for a DEXA bone scan. The physician lists osteopor... Read more
Reader Question:
When To Include Arthrodesis Status
Question: When am I supposed to apply code Z98.1 (Arthrodesis status) on spinal exams... Read more
Reader Question:
Use Caution on Infant Chest and Abdominal Imaging
Question: A mother brings in an infant for a two-view chest and abdomen X-ray. The in... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Coding Pre-MRI Metal Checks
Question: A physician performs a pre-MRI eye screening. The indication states nothing... Read more
Mammography 101:
Screening, Diagnostic, Or Both — Know How to Code These Common Scenarios
Screening turned diagnostic? There’s a modifier for that. Mammography coding may se... Read more
Intermediate Mammography Coding:
Using Mammography for Guidance? Check These Tips
Plus: What is focal asymmetry? As any mammogram coder can tell you, diagnosis and screeni... Read more
Advanced Mammography Coding:
Avoiding All E/Ms With Mammograms? Not So Fast
You can’t report these together every time, but in some cases you should. Radiology... Read more
Clip And Save:
Use This Guide for 2017 Medicare Mammogram Coding
Tie together all the facts that you’ve learned in the three levels of mammogram codi... Read more
Reader Question:
Routine Extra Views Aren't Billable
Question: If the radiology department routinely does extra mammogram views on asympto... Read more
You Be the Coder:
How Should You Report Tomosynthesis?
Question: We are unclear about how to report tomosynthesis with a mammogram now that ... Read more
Radiology Coding Errors:
Expert Examples Help You Avoid These Common Radiology Coding Errors
CMS discovers sky-high error rate among these radiology codes. Radiology coders have to b... Read more
ICD-10:
Case Study: Can You Determine How to Code Negative Findings?
Look to the report for symptoms when necessary. Sometimes the ICD-10 coding options seem ... Read more
FAQs:
Got Radiology Coding Questions? We've Got Answers—Straight From CMS
Check out these 3 common radiology coding queries, with expert responses directly from Med... Read more
Reader Question:
Bilateral Procedures Are Inherently...Bilateral
Question: Our office performed bilateral duplex scans of the extremity veins and we r... Read more
Reader Question:
Maximize In-Hospital Reviews
Question: Our physician was at the hospital when he was asked to provide an interpret... Read more
Reader Question:
Know When Screening Isn't Screening
Question: A patient presents to the office for screening DXA bone density test, but t... Read more
Reader Question:
'Z' Is the New 'V'
Question: We used to use V codes as secondary codes quite often under ICD-9 but have ... Read more
Reader Question:
Keep HIPAA At Top of Mind for Work-At-Home Docs
Question: Our radiologist works from home on Mondays and Wednesdays, where he interpr... Read more
You Be the Coder:
You May Need to Separate 'RS' From 'I'
Question: Our radiologist interpreted the results of a fistulogram and wrote a report... Read more
CPT® 2017:
2017 CPT® Updates: Have You Implemented These Changes?
G codes continue to apply for mammography but not for aortic aneurysm screening. Practice... Read more
Quick Recap:
Changes In 2017 For Radiology Practices
List and implement the new codes for several key radiological procedures. Many key change... Read more
ICD-10-CM Review:
Diagnosis Coding: Location Is Key In Respiratory Tuberculosis
Do not miss structures other than lungs that can be affected by tuberculosis. Diagnosis c... Read more
ICD-10-CM Updates Will Not Impact PQRS Payment Adjustments
CMS published an “ICD-10-CM FAQ” that outlines the potential impact of the FY ... Read more
CMS Guidance:
X-Ray Imaging: Prepare For 20 Percent Cut For Technical Component
Adopt the FX modifier in X-rays using films. Is your provider using X-ray films? If yes, ... Read more
Reader Question:
73050 Applies to Bilateral Joint X-Rays
Question: In a patient who had a fall from the cycle, our physician did X-rays for su... Read more
Reader Question:
Target 75880 for Orbital Venogram
Question: In a patient with head trauma, our physician obtained imaging after injecti... Read more
Reader Question:
Earn For Fluoroscopy during Injection Procedures
Question: Our physician provided fluoroscopic guidance for injections into the elbow ... Read more
Reader Question:
77003 Now has Add-on Status
Question: Can we continue to submit code 77003 for fluoroscopic guidance in spinal in... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Identify Distinct Services for 70380 and 70390
Question: In a patient with pain and swelling in the area of the parotid gland, our p... Read more
Coding Tips:
Imaging: Prepare To Combat Denials For Your CT Claims
Modifier CT will generate a 15 percent cut in 2017. Now is the time to assess how you ... Read more
Coding Strategy:
Follow These 3 Key Steps To Earn For Radiological Renal Intervention Procedures
Define details of each step in the urinary tract imaging and check if any services are b... Read more
ICD-10 Review:
Follow This Structured Approach For Rib Fracture Coding
Count, laterality, and seventh character details are equally important to make your way ... Read more
Resolve To Train And Adopt ICD-10 Diagnosis Coding
Mark the beginning of the New Year with a resolution of educating yourself for ICD-10 di... Read more
Reader Question:
Count Views in Mandible X-Rays
Question: In a patient with head trauma, our physician obtained X-rays of the mandi... Read more
Reader Question:
Submit 77084 for Marrow Blood Supply
Question: How is blood supply assessed in the marrow tissue? Our physician document... Read more
Reader Question:
Beware Trying to Report 77014 and 77295 Together
Question: Our radiologist provided CT guidance for placement of radiotherapy fields... Read more
Reader Question:
Choose from Dozen Codes for Vascular Disorders of Intestine
Question: What are the 2017 updates for diagnosis codes for intestinal infarction? ... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Procedure Details Guide Coding for TEE
Question: How can we code transesophageal echo procedures? Is there a separate code... Read more
CPT® Update:
Add 9 New Codes to your list for Dialysis Circuit Imaging and Intervention
Define peripheral/central circuit and look for thrombectomy/thrombolysis services. Eff... Read more
Two Essentials For Dialysis Circuit Imaging
For the new dialysis circuit codes that will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2017, you should ... Read more
ICD-10 Update:
Identify Reason To Find The Right Code For Urinary Retention
Watch this: The right code may relate to underlying pathology. A common yet often igno... Read more
Procedure Focus:
Follow This Expert Advice To Spearhead Your Cardiac SPECT Coding
Medical necessity is an increasingly recognised issue. Documentation is key. Coding fo... Read more
Reader Question:
Select 75809 for Nonvascular Shunts
Question: In a patient with suspected block in the ventriculoperi­toneal shunt,... Read more
Reader Question:
Reason for Imaging Guides Your Coding
Question: Our physician did a pelvic ultrasound on a patient who complained of pelv... Read more
Reader Question:
76776 is Inclusive of Doppler Component
Question: How can we report ultrasound examination of transplanted kidneys? Does th... Read more
You Be the Coder:
More Than One Organ Does Not Imply Complete Abdominal USG
Question: Our radiologist did an ultrasound assessment of the liver and spleen. The... Read more
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