Radiology Coding Alert

Question: Should I report 92611 when the radiologist participates in an inpatient VFSS with a speech language pathologist (SLP)? Missouri Subscriber Answer: No. For the radiologist, you'll most likely report the professional component of 74230 (Swallowing function, with cineradiography/videoradiography) for her part in the inpatient videofluoroscopic swallow study (VFSS). Code 92611 (Motion fluoroscopic evaluation of swallowing function by cine or video recording) describes a videofluoroscopic study to assess swallowing, according to CPT Assistant, December 2004. You should report 74230 to represent the radiologic supervision and interpretation for 92611. The hospital most likely bills 74230's technical component, and if the SLP bills independently, she reports 92611. Documentation: The radiologist should describe the test protocol (for example, what the patient swallowed) and whether the patient exhibited any aspiration. Watch for: Many states and payers have strict rules requiring a radiologist's participation in VFSS. If, for example, your state requires the radiologist to perform the fluoro, be sure the radiologist performs and documents this before you code.