Radiology Coding Alert

Question: Which code(s) apply when the patient has an AP-Lat chest X-ray, as well as "special views"? May we report 71020 and 71035?

Pennsylvania Subscriber

Answer: You should report the code that represents the complete number of views taken and interpreted.

For example: If the patient has a 2-view (frontal and lateral) chest X-ray and right and left lateral decubitus at the same session, you should report 71030 (Radiologic examination, chest, complete, minimum of 4 views), according to CPT® Assistant (December 2009).

"Lateral decubitus" is one of the views mentioned in the definition for special studies code 71035 (Radiologic examination, chest, special views [e.g., lateral decubitus, Bucky studies]), but you should not report 71035 for the example given. Similarly, while 71020 (Radiologic examination, chest, 2 views, frontal and lateral) describes a 2-view X-ray, you should not report it in this case. You should report only 71030 because it describes all of the views taken at that session.

Tip: The decubitus view involves using a horizontal X-ray beam to image a patient lying on his side. AP-Lat refers to anteroposterior (front to back) and lateral (side) views.