Radiology Coding Alert

Question: I have a report where the radiologist performed “RSI” for a lymphangiography on the patient’s right arm. I’m new to radiology coding, and I’m not sure what code to assign for this procedure.

North Dakota Subscriber

Answer You’ll assign 75801 (Lymphangiography, extremity only, unilateral, radiological supervision and interpretation) to report this procedure.

RSI stands for radiological supervision and interpretation. In the report you have, the radiologist performed imaging supervision and interpretation for the lymphangiography and reports 75801 for the RSI. The code is reserved for a lymphangiography with RSI performed on only one extremity, regardless of whether the extremity is an upper or lower extremity on the left or right side of the body.

If the provider performed RSI for a bilateral lymphangiography, then you’d assign 75803 (Lymphangiography, extremity only, bilateral, radiological supervision and interpretation). Code 75803 is reserved for lymphangiography with RSI performed on extremities on both sides of the patient’s body.