Radiology Coding Alert

Plus: Chiropractors get x-ray powers Are you reporting Q codes to Medicare for contrast agents?  As of April 1, 2005, CMS says everyone except hospital outpatient departments must use HCPCS Codes Q9945-Q9954 to replace codes A4643-A4647 and Q9955-Q9957 for specific echocardiography contrast agents. Contrast the Old Codes With the New CPT Codes bases the new Q codes on the concentration and volume of the agent to reflect the price of the agents more accurately.

Example: Your report shows the administration of 250 mL of Ultravist 150 mg/ml.

Old way: Report A4644 (Supply of low osmolar contrast material [100-199 mgs of iodine]).

New way: Report Q9946 (Low osmolar contrast material, 150-199 mg/ml iodine concentration, per ml) with 250 units.

Head to www.cms.hhs.gov/manuals/pm_trans/R502CP.pdf for the Medicare ruling. Back Up Your Tests With Chiropractor's Order Also starting April 1, Medicare began to reimburse outpatient hospitals and radiologists in Maine and New Mexico and parts of Iowa, Illinois and Virginia for x-rays, MRIs and CT scans ordered by chiropractors. The coverage is part of a two-year demonstration project to determine just how much Medicare should expand payment for chiropractic services. List the chiropractor's UPIN as the ordering physician.

Find out the specific counties involved at www.cms.hhs.gov/medlearn/matters/mmarticles/2005/SE0522.pdf.