Radiology Coding Alert
Learn If 73221 Applies to Pediatric MRI Procedures
Question: A 10-year-old pediatric patient was admitted to the hospital emergency department (ED) after sustaining a fall at home. The patient complained of pain in the elbow after the fall, but elbow X-rays didn’t show a fracture. The physician then ordered a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the elbow to evaluate for damage to the tendons or ligaments. CPT® code 73221 covers the MRI of the elbow, but is there a separate MRI code for pediatric patients? Virginia Subscriber Answer: Currently, there aren’t separate MRI codes for pediatric patients. For your scenario, you’ll need to assign one of the following MRI codes, depending on the use of contrast: If the radiologist used contrast to examine the patient’s body structures, you’ll assign 73222. You’ll select 73221 if the radiologist performed the procedure without the use of contrast. However, if the radiologist’s report indicates the provider performed the MRI without contrast, then administered contrast, and captured additional images, then you’ll assign 73223. Remember: According to the AMA CPT® guidelines preceding the Radiology chapter of the CPT® code set, the use of contrast material(s) only applies to contrast administered intra-articularly (into the joint), intrathecally (into the spinal canal), or intravascularly (into the blood vessel).
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Learn If 73221 Applies to Pediatric MRI Procedures
Question: A 10-year-old pediatric patient was admitted to the hospital emergency department (ED) after sustaining a [...]
