Radiology Coding Alert
Make Sure You’re Using Updated Codes to Report X-rays
Question: Our radiologist captured bilateral anteroposterior (AP), posteroanterior (PA), and lateral views of a patient’s hips and pelvis. I assigned 73520, but the claim received a denial stating the code is invalid. What code should I use to correct the claim? Illinois Subscriber Answer: You’ll assign 73522 (Radiologic examination, hips, bilateral, with pelvis when performed; 3-4 views) based on the information you’ve provided. The AP, PA, and lateral views of the patient’s hips and pelvis fulfill the required number of views listed in the code descriptor. Plus, since the code includes bilateral views of the body structures, you do not need to append modifier 50 (Bilateral procedure). CPT® code 73520 (Radiologic examination, hips, bilateral, minimum of 2 views of each hip, including anteroposterior view of pelvis) was deleted on Jan. 1, 2016, and replaced with 73522, 73521 (… 2 views), and 73523 (… minimum of 5 views). The three codes that replaced 73520 differ in the number of views captured during the procedure.
Related Articles
Radiology Coding Alert
- Ultrasounds:
Know What A- and B-Scans Mean for Ophthalmic Ultrasounds
Do you need to permanently store images? Find out. When you examine the code descriptors [...] - ICD-10-CM:
Precisely Code Colles’, Smith’s, and Barton’s Fractures With This Guide
Hint: Bone fragment positioning determines the diagnosis. Of the assortment of wrist fractures in ICD-10-CM, [...] - Industry Notes:
Contrast Supply Shortage Leaves Radiology Practices Scrambling
Will practices be able to change previously authorized orders? Radiology practices across the U.S. have [...] - You Be the Coder:
Get Specific When Selecting X-ray Codes of Extremities
Question: A 65-year-old patient with a history of osteoporosis visited our urgent care clinic complaining of [...] - Reader Questions:
Make Sure You’re Using Updated Codes to Report X-rays
Question: Our radiologist captured bilateral anteroposterior (AP), posteroanterior (PA), and lateral views of a patient’s hips [...] - Reader Questions:
Can You Report a Bulging Disc as Displaced?
Question: A patient was referred to our radiology practice for X-rays of their lumbosacral region. The [...] - Reader Questions:
Know When to Separately Report Fluoroscopic Guidance
Question: A radiologist in our practice performed fluoroscopic guidance for a diagnostic lumbar spine puncture of [...]
