Radiology Coding Alert

READER QUESTIONS:

Reap Radiofrequency and MRI Guidance Payment

Question: Our radiologist performed a percutaneous radiofrequency renal ablation in the hospital on the patient's right side, using magnetic resonance imaging to monitor the tumor's response to the percutaneous radiofrequency. What is the correct way to code this procedure?


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Answer: You should report 50592 (Ablation, one or more renal tumor[s], percutaneous, unilateral, radiofrequency) for the ablation. In this scenario, you would also report 76394 (Magnetic resonance guidance for, and monitoring of, visceral tissue ablation) for the MRI monitoring since 50592's code descriptor does not specify any intraoperative radiological inclusions.

Append modifier 26 (Professional component) to the RS&I code when the patient undergoes the radiological procedures in the hospital. The payer will then pay the radiologist the professional fee only. The hospital collects the technical fee for the RS&I for the ownership of the MRI equipment.
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