Radiology Coding Alert
Don't Code Separately for Multiple Imaging Modalities with 50432
Question: A patient presents to the emergency department (ED) with dysuria and renal colic. The interventional radiologist decompresses the obstructed kidney through a computed tomographic (CT) and fluoroscopic-guided percutaneous drainage via a nephrostomy tube. What is the CPT® coding? Indiana Subscriber Answer: You will report percutaneous drainage via a nephrostomy tube using imaging guidance with 50432 (Placement of nephrostomy catheter, percutaneous, including diagnostic nephrostogram and/or ureterogram when performed, imaging guidance (eg, ultrasound and/or fluoroscopy) and all associated radiological supervision and interpretation). While the code descriptor only references ultrasound (US) and/or fluoroscopic guidance, you should also include CT guidance as an inclusive component of the service. Furthermore, no additional codes or modifiers are warranted since the provider opted to use two forms of imaging guidance.
Radiology Coding Alert
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Don't Code Separately for Multiple Imaging Modalities with 50432
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