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Radiology Coding Alert

Reader Questions:

Weigh Your 73050 Coding Options

Published on Sun Aug 05, 2007

Question: The descriptor for 73050 says, "with or without weighted distraction." If documentation shows the study with and without weights, should I report 73050 twice? Do I need a modifier?


Iowa Subscriber


Answer: Report only one unit of 73050 (Radiologic examination; acromioclavicular joints, bilateral, with or without weighted distraction) even for films with and without weights. Because you report only one unit, you don't need to use a modifier. You do need to make sure that the documentation matches the code's requirement for a bilateral study. If the study wasn't bilateral, be sure you append modifier 52 (Reduced services) to indicate the reduced service.
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