Radiology Coding Alert

Question: My radiologist has requested that I report 93975 when he examines only the ovaries or scrotum. Is this correct?

New York Subscriber

Answer: You may report 93975 (Duplex scan of arterial inflow and venous outflow of abdominal, pelvic, scrotal contents and/or retroperitoneal organs; complete study) as long as the radiologist evaluates the entire organ.

So you may report 93975 for an exam of the ovaries or scrotum.

According to the AMA's April 1996 CPT Assistant, if you evaluate an organ in its entirety, you should report 93975. If the radiologist evaluates only part of an organ or otherwise limits the study, you should report 93976 (... limited study).

Also, the American College of Radiology's Ultrasound Coding Users' Guide advises that you must examine both sides of a paired organ (such as the ovary) to report a complete exam.

Don't forget: Codes 93975 and 93976 require arterial inflow and venous outflow studies.