Radiology Coding Alert

Question: May we report fluoroscopy if it's used for something such as locating a foreign body?

Codify Member

Answer: If the physician provides personal supervision for the technical component and there's no more appropriate radiological code, you may report the fluoroscopy for the case you describe.

CPT® Assistant (June 2008) offers some insights into proper fluoroscopy coding. For instance, the article states, "Code 76000 [Fluoroscopy (separate procedure), up to 1 hour physician time, other than 71023 or 71034 (e.g., cardiac fluoroscopy)] may be reported when fluoroscopy is the only imaging performed." The example offered is using only fluoro to look at a joint in multiple positions to determine whether a calcification seen on a prior X-ray is loose in the joint.

"Another example is when there is no other fluoroscopy code that more accurately describes the imaging performed," the article states. In this case the example is using fluoro to help in locating and removing a foreign body from the skin. (If you're coding both the removal and the fluoro, you may need to append modifier 59, Distinct procedural service, to 76000.)

You'll also need to verify the level of physician supervision provided. The article states, "because fluoroscopic imaging requires personal supervision, a fluoroscopic code should not be submitted if the physician is not present in the operating room during a procedure that uses fluoroscopy or fluoroscopic guidance." If the physician simply interprets and writes a report for a permanent image recorded by the fluoro machine, you should choose the X-ray code that best describes the procedure performed.