Radiology Coding Alert

Start the documentation education now to ease potential 72114 audits. Where view requirements are concerned, CPT® giveth, and CPT® taketh away for two spine X-ray codes in 2012. Be sure your practice applies these key code updates, effective for services on or after January 1. Plan Ahead for Tougher 72114 Requirements To report 72114 for a lumbosacral spine X-ray performed in 2012, you must comply with a new requirement for a "minimum of 6 views": 2011: 72114, Radiologic examination, spine, lumbosacral; complete, including bending views 2012: 72114, Radiologic examination, spine, lumbosacral; complete, including bending views, minimum of 6 views. As shown above, the 2012 code will apply to six or more views while the 2011 definition of 72114 did not include any specific number of views. Potential problem: Some physicians now document "complete including bending views," rather than stating the number of views, says Lori Hendrix, CPC, CPC-I, CPC-H, CIRCC, [...]