Radiology Coding Alert

In all the excitement of CPT and ICD-9 2008 changes, don't let this 2007 reimbursement change slip under your radar.

Old way: Medicare included payment for contrast in certain MRI practice expense (PE) relative value units (RVUs).

New way: Medicare will pay separately for contrast media for services on or after Jan. 1, 2007, and will no longer include the contrast cost in MRI PE RVUs.

What to do: In addition to the CPT code for the MRI, you should report the appropriate HCPCS code for the contrast medium (typically Q9952-Q9954) for all services after Jan. 1, 2007.

Medicare payers won't be searching their files to offer you payment retroactive to the Jan. 1 effective date, but you can appeal relevant claims.

Find out more in MLN Matters article MM5677 (http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/MM5677.pdf).