Radiology Coding Alert

Question: My radiation oncologist wants me to code for some surgeries in which he talked another doctor through a procedure. Can I code for this?


Washington Subscriber

Answer: The rule of thumb is "he who does it, codes it." You'll have to let your physician know you can't code those surgeries.

Example: Your physician verbally coaches a gynecologist through insertion of uterine tandems.

What to do: The gynecologist should report 57155 (Insertion of uterine tandems and/or vaginal ovoids for clinical brachytherapy). Although the radiation oncologist was present, he did not perform the insertion, so you can't report it.

Note: If, as often occurs, the radiation oncologist does insert the appliances around the tumor, you may report 57155 if you see a complete operative note documenting this surgical service.