Radiology Coding Alert
You Be the Coder:
Compare Contrast Rules
Published on Tue May 23, 2006
Question: What code should I use when the techs do a CT scan of the abdomen and the patient drinks the contrast material?
Michigan Subscriber
Answer: The correct code is CPT 74150 (Computed tomography, abdomen; without contrast material).
Reason: CPT guidelines instruct you that “with contrast … represents contrast material administered intravascularly, intra-articularly, or intrathecally.”
If your patient drinks the contrast or the provider administers the contrast rectally, CPT tells you that this does not qualify as a “with contrast” study.
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