Radiology Coding Alert
Can I Hold a Claim Until I Have a Dx?
Question: When we see a patient for a new problem, such as cough and fever, I usually report the appropriate x-ray code with a cough diagnosis (ICD-9 786.2 ). If the patient returns for subsequent visits, we usually have a more definitive diagnosis, such as bronchopneumonia (485), and I report that instead. My office manager thinks we should hold the first x-ray claim until we have the definitive diagnosis, so that all of the patients visits have the same ICD-9 Code (485). Is she correct?
Colorado Subscriber
Answer: The ICD-9 guidelines state, If symptoms are present but a definitive diagnosis has not yet been determined, code the symptoms. Your question indicates that the patients bronchopneumonia was not diagnosed until after the physician read her x-ray. If this is the case, you should report the appropriate chest x-ray code (71010-71035) for the initial x-ray and link it to the cough diagnosis code (786.2).
After the attending physician determines a diagnosis, you should report only the new diagnosis code (485) if the patient presents for subsequent tests, and you should no longer use the cough ICD-9 code.
Radiology Coding Alert
- NCCI Makes DEXA Scans and CT
If your physician orders more than one study to confirm a patient's condition, you had [...] - Add a Fifth Digit to That Hyperplasia Diagnosis
Radiology practices will finally be able to specify prostate hyperplasia and hypertrophy diagnoses, thanks to [...] - CMS Overhauls ICD-9 Codes
Radiologists see patients for many conditions, so don't be surprised when the following ICD-9 Codes [...] - You Be the Coder:
Can I Hold a Claim Until I Have a Dx?
Question: When we see a patient for a new problem, such as cough and fever, [...] - Modifiers -51 and -59:
Under the Microscope
Modifiers -51 and -59 have similar applications to tell the insurer that you performed separate, [...] - News Brief:
Good News! You Can Keep the Extra Cash
Due to the late implementation of the 2003 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule , Medicare [...] - Reader Question:
2 Feet Count as Multiple Scan Areas
Question: We performed a bone scan of both feet. Should we report CPT 78300 [...] - Reader Question:
Avoid Myocardial Codes for Extremities
Question: I performed a thallium scan of the lower extremity with SPECT and planar images [...] - Reader Question:
Report Diskography RS&I per Level
Question: If our radiologist performs diskography injections at multiple levels (such as L2-3, L3-4, L4-5), [...] - Reader Question:
Never Clone Your Notes
Question: In the July article Avoid Common Mistakes When Reporting Special Services, you advised against [...] - Reader Questions:
Report Hip Arthrograms Bilaterally
Question: Our radiologist performed bilateral hip arthrograms under anesthesia. Should I report CPT 27095 [...]
