Radiology Coding Alert

Plus: Watch for changes to hepatobiliary and pulmonary codes.

CPT 2012 updates are hot off the press. Here's an overview of the Radiology Section revisions, including brand new CTA and nuclear medicine codes.

Combine 72191 and 74175 Under 74174

Starting Jan. 1, 2012, you'll benefit from new code 74174 (Computed tomographic angiography, abdomen and pelvis, with contrast material[s], including noncontrast images, if performed, and image postprocessing).

This serves as a combination of services described by 74175 (Computed tomographic angiography, abdomen, with contrast material[s], including noncontrast images, if performed, and image postprocessing) and 72191 (Computed tomographic angiography, pelvis, with contrast material[s], including noncontrast images, if performed, and image postprocessing).

Use new code 74174 only for same-session abdomen/pelvis CTA. Just as in 2011, if you're coding only a CTA abdomen, you'll report 74175; if you're coding a CTA pelvis only, look to 72191.

Line Up 78226 and 78227 for Hepatobiliary Imaging

Also in the Radiology Section, you'll find that CPT® eradicates 78220 (Liver function study ...) and 78223 (Hepatobiliary ductal system imaging ...) and replaces them with the following new codes:

• 78226, Hepatobiliary system imaging, including gallbladder when present
• 78227, ...with pharmacologic intervention, including quantitative measurement(s) when performed.

Prepare for Pulmonary Shake Up

Rounding out the Radiology Section changes, you'll find a vast overhaul of the respiratory imaging section, with pulmonary perfusion and ventilation codes 78584-78596 deleted and 78580 revised to say "Pulmonary perfusion imaging (e.g., particulate)." In place of the deleted codes, you'll find the following:

• 78579, Pulmonary ventilation imaging (e.g., aerosol or gas)
• 78582, Pulmonary ventilation (e.g., aerosol or gas) and perfusion imaging
• 78597, Quantitative differential pulmonary perfusion, including imaging when performed
• 78598, Quantitative differential pulmonary perfusion and ventilation (e.g., aerosol or gas), including imaging when performed.

Stay tuned: Watch future issues of Radiology Coding Alert for a detailed look at proper use of the 2012 codes.