Radiology Coding Alert
Reader Question:
All Thumbs
Published on Tue Oct 01, 2002
Question: The Coder's Desk Reference says that CPT 73140 is for digits 2-5 excluding thumb. But it doesn't have any thumb x-rays in its other descriptions. As far as I can tell, the CPT book doesn't make the same distinction and it has no code for just the thumb - yet it doesn't say thumb is included with hand. Can you enlighten me? Texas Subscriber Answer: All 10 fingers are considered fingers for the purposes of 73140 (Radiologic examination ...). The CDR is wrong in some circumstances, and this is one of them.
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