Radiology Coding Alert

Question: What code should I report for a temporal bone CT? We performed it with a head CT.

Arkansas Subscriber

Answer: You would typically report a temporal bone CT using either 70480 (Computed tomography, orbit, sella, or posterior fossa or outer, middle, or inner ear; without contrast material), 70481 (... with contrast material[s]) or 70482 (... without contrast material, followed by contrast material[s] and further sections).

Warning: The Correct Coding Initiative's mutually exclusive edits bundle these codes into head CT codes (70450-70470), so you shouldn't report them together.

Exception: If the temporal and head CTs were separate and distinct services (for example, performed during separate sessions), you should append modifier 59 (Distinct procedural service) to the temporal bone CT scan code. In addition, the order must clearly state the medical necessity for both CT studies.