Radiology Coding Alert

Question: In a patient who had a fall from the cycle, our physician did X-rays for suspected fracture in the clavicle. In addition, the acromioclavicular joint was also examined. How can we report for these X-ray assessments?

Florida Subscriber

Answer: Your physician is making two assessments. One for the clavicle and another for the acromioclavicular joint. For the imaging of the clavicle, submit code 73000 (Radiologic examination; clavicle, complete). The second assessment is for the acromioclavicular joint. From the information shared, you can assume that the acromioclavicular joint was assessed on the same side of the clavicle with the suspected fracture. For the acromioclavicular X-ray, you submit code 73050 (Radiologic examination; acromioclavicular joints, bilateral, with or without weighted distraction).

73050 applies for bilateral X-rays: The code 73050 applies when your physician does X-rays of the acromioclavicular joints on both the right and the left sides. Since your physician is performing the imaging on only one acromioclavicular joint, you append modifier 52 (Reduced services) to 73050.