Radiology Coding Alert
Check It Out When in Doubt
Question: I got a report on an elderly patient regarding an insufficiency fracture of the pelvis. Which diagnosis code should I use? Answer: An insufficiency fracture is a type of stress fracture, so generally look to 733.95 (Stress fracture of other bone).
Minnesota Subscriber
Insufficiency fractures often occur in patients with osteoporosis (typically a 733.xx [Osteoporosis] code), so you may be able to report this code, as well, if documentation supports it.
You might be tempted to report this as a pathologic fracture (733.1x) because this stress fracture results from normal or physiologic stress on a weakened bone, but technically this is a stress fracture.
If you have any doubt at all, ask the physician for a more specific diagnosis.
Radiology Coding Alert
- Back-to-Basics Coding:
This Simple Trick for Coding Mammographic Guidance Will Earn You Big Bucks
You sent us your 76095 and 76096 questions - here are the answers If you [...] - Confused by IDTF Rules? We've Got the Remedy
Our experts clear up your myelogram and supervision uncertainty If you code for an independent [...] - You Be the Coder:
Sentinel Node Injection
Question: How should I code for a sentinel node injection performed four times in each [...] - News You Can Use:
Collect $2,216 for In-Office RF Endovenous Ablation Therapy
Take the good with the bad under Medicare's 2005 Physician Fee Schedule
The 2005 Medicare [...] - Prove Patient Is 'Critical' When You Report 99291
CPT considers many services part of the critical care package When deciding whether your pulmonologist [...] - Chart the Changes to 2005 Radiology RVUs
Use the charts below to determine how the 2005 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule [...] - Reader Questions:
Experiment With IDET Coding
Question: I work for interventional radiologists who perform single and multi-level intradiscal electrothermal therapy (IDET) [...] - Reader Questions:
Analyze Add-On Codes
Question: Can I report 19295 for clip placement for core biopsies other than codes 19102 [...] - Reader Questions:
Check It Out When in Doubt
Question: I got a report on an elderly patient regarding an insufficiency fracture of the [...] - Reader Questions:
Try 77427 for 3 or More Radiation Fractions - Reader Questions:
Locate Unlisted Procedures
Question: What is the correct MRI CPT Code for fiducial placement for brain tumor localization [...] - Are You Ready to End Your E/M-Guideline Confusion? We Can Help
Use CMS' responses to our questions to report correct E/M levels Like many coders, you've [...] - Bonus Question:
Improve Your Prescription Drug Documentation
Find out what CMS has to say about the management options category Calculating a patient's [...] - Reader Question:
Let the Elements Drive Your History Documentation
Question: The chart that physicians use to select the level of history includes identifiers. For [...]
