Radiology Coding Alert

Question: A patient visited our radiology practice complaining of finger pain in the right hand. The patient had spent time playing football with friends and caught a pass awkwardly. The physician performed X-rays of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd fingers to check for fractures.

Should I use 73130 to document the exam?

Utah Subscriber

Answer: While the descriptor for 73130 (Radiologic examination, hand; minimum of 3 views) calls out three views, the code is for exams of the hand. CPT^® code 73140 (Radiologic examination, finger(s), minimum of 2 views) specifically calls out fingers and mentions a minimum of two views, so additional images captured fit under this code.

You can also append 73140 with modifiers F5 (Right hand, thumb), F6 (Right hand, second digit), and F7 (Right hand, third digit) to specify which digits the radiologist examines. Modifiers F1-FA are not necessary for 73140, but it is good practice to include them to accurately describe the procedure.

Reporting tip: You’ll append 73140 with modifier 26 (Professional Component) if you only need to report the physician’s interpretation of the X-rays. However, you would append the radiology code with TC (Technical component; …) if you’re only reporting the technical component of the procedure.

Additionally, you will not append modifiers 26 or TC to the CPT^® code when reporting a global service where the provider performs both the professional and technical components.