Wiki Billing an E/M and Xray on the same day

[abrodskycpc]

Hi everyone,

I am preparing to take the COSC exam this coming Saturday. I took a practice exam through AAPC and I am confused on something.

One of the questions had a new patient visit and an xray on the same day. I got the question wrong because I did not append the -25 modifier on the office visit, because of the xray.

Can anyone comment on this? I have been coding Ortho for awhile and we have never added the -25 modifier on the E/M because of an xray.

There was NO other procedure done on this day.

Thanks!

 

[hamlinr2005]

If it is just an office visit and x-ray, we do not use a modifier 25 either.

 

[abrodskycpc]

If it is just an office visit and x-ray, we do not use a modifier 25 either.

Thank you! That is what I am used to doing, that is why this practice question really threw me off.

 

[jchronaberry]

I work in a pulmonary office and it is very common to bill an e/m and cxr together we always attach the 25 modifier.

 

[abrodskycpc]

You put the -25 on the E/M if it is just an x-ray being performed with the office visit?

Is there any reference material you can provide me on this?

 

[KMCFADYEN]

If all you are billing are a chest x-ray and the E&M, you do NOT append modifier 25.

 

[LisaG81]

I just took the COSC exam and thankfully this question wasn't on it - because I don't agree with adding the -25 to the E/M when the only other procedure is an xray. We would NEVER bill it that way in our clinic. I tried emailing AAPC about it when I got that in my study guide and never got a response.