Radiology Coding Alert

Question: A radiologist in our practice captured a single-view X-ray of an infant’s chest and abdomen. We reported 74022-52 for the procedures, but the claim was denied.

How can we correct the claim?

Michigan Subscriber

Answer: Your best bet would be to check with the individual payer to see which code they’d prefer for this unique scenario. The two best options that come to mind are 71045 (Radiologic examination, chest; single view) and 74018 (Radiologic examination, abdomen; 1 view). Each of these codes are single-view X-ray codes and are appropriate for the situation you presented.

While 74022 (Radiologic examination, complete acute abdomen series, including 2 or more views of the abdomen (eg, supine, erect, decubitus), and a single view chest) appended with modifier 52 (Reduced services) appears to be a clever solution for the scenario, 74022 is designated for a complete acute abdomen series involving at least two views of the abdomen, plus a single-view chest X-ray. Appending modifier 52 to indicate the radiologist captured less than the required number of views is incorrect.