Radiology Coding Alert

New radiology procedures can sometimes be coding nightmares, but virtual colonoscopies combine reliable diagnostic testing, patient comfort and coding ease.

Virtual colonoscopy is a new method that allows doctors to detect polyps and neoplasms in the colon. Radiologists instill air into the colon and then use a CT scanner and imaging software to examine the colon without having to insert a conventional colonoscopy tube or administer a barium enema.

Although some people remain uncertain about how to code the new procedure, it doesn't require any fancy footwork, says Danette Jones, CPC, of Central Kentucky Radiology in Lexington.

According to the American Medical Association (AMA), codes CPT 74150 (Computerized axial tomography, abdomen; without contrast material) and 76375 (Coronal, sagittal, multiplanar, oblique, 3-dimensional and/or holographic reconstruction of computerized axial tomography ) are appropriate to report a virtual colonoscopy, also known as a fly-through exam of the colon.

Jones says that her facility reports the abdominal CTs and the reconstructed views and that they have received "adequate reimbursement" for the exam.

The new method is better able to detect polyps than a barium enema, and it is nearly as accurate as conventional colonoscopy, so get used to seeing this helpful new code combination.