READER QUESTIONS:
Count Oblique as 2 Views
Published on Fri Nov 25, 2005
Question: If my radiologist documents AP, lateral, and oblique views of the spine, does this count as three views or four views?
New York Subscriber
Answer: For the views you report, you should choose a four-view code.
Why: "Oblique views" is actually two views.
Example: If the radiologist documents x-rays with AP, lateral, and oblique views of the cervical spine, report 72050 (Radiologic examination, spine, cervical; minimum of four views).
Note: Very rarely, your radiologist may document one oblique view, instead. In that case, count the oblique view as one view.