Radiology Coding Alert

Question: For assessment of vertebral fracture, we submitted code 77082, and we received a denial. What is the reason for this denial? How can we report this service?

Florida Subscriber

Answer: Effective Jan 1, 2015, the code 77082 (Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry [DXA], bone density study, 1 or more sites; vertebral fracture assessment) is no longer valid for vertebral fracture assessment. You now have two new codes for vertebral fracture assessment. These include:

• 77085 (Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry [DXA], bone density study, 1 or more sites; axial skeleton [e.g., hips, pelvis, spine], including vertebral fracture assessment) where vertebral fracture assessment is done as part of bone density study, and 

• 77086 (Vertebral fracture assessment via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry [DXA]) which is for vertebral fracture assessment alone. 

You may submit either of these codes depending upon whether or not your physician performed the vertebral fracture assessment with bone density study. These codes include clarity for the type of assessment and are specific for fracture assessment.