Radiology Coding Alert

Question: If documentation doesn't show the number of views for an X-ray (such as 73100-73110), should we report an unlisted code?

Utah Subscriber

Answer: Rather than choosing an unlisted code, you first should try to learn from the radiologist the number of views. He can document the number of views using an addendum, and you can choose the appropriate code based on that information.

If you can't get a definitive answer on the number of views, then you should report the code representing the lowest number of views. Experts note that auditors who review records that don't document the number of views will downcode the service to match the lowest number of views and restrict payment to that level.

For example: If you don't know the number of views for a wrist X-ray, you should report 73100 (Radiologic examination, wrist; 2 views) rather than the more extensive 73110 (... complete, minimum of 3 views).

-- The answers for You Be the Coder and Reader Questions were reviewed by Michele Midkiff, CPC-I, PCS, RCC, executive director of Coding Affiliates Inc., an interventional and neuro-interventional radiology coding service in Mountain View, Calif.