Radiology Coding Alert

Question: Is 74420 a bilateral procedure? If so, should I report RT and LT?

Washington Subscriber

Answer: You should not append modifiers RT (Right side), LT (Left side) or 50 (Bilateral procedure) to 74420 (Urography, retrograde, with or without KUB).

According to the Medicare fee schedule, 74420 has a "0" bilateral indicator. This means that "bilateral surgery rules do not apply. Do not use 50 modifier." The fee schedule is online at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/pfslookup/.

Tip: Washington Medicare carrier Noridian posted the 2008 fee schedule indicator definitions online at http://www.noridianmedicare.com/p-medb/news/fees/docs/2008/mpfs_2008_indicator_summary.pdf.