Wiki Comparison X-rays

[loneal180]

If a patient comes in for a left shoulder injury, and the doctor does a bilateral shoulder x-ray to have a comparison - what diagnoses is appropriate to bill the Rt shoulder x-ray?

 

[csperoni]

I do not believe this is billable under typical circumstances. See these threads & Newsletter article

https://www.aapc.com/discuss/threads/tests-for-comparison.174227/

https://www.aapc.com/discuss/threads/comparison-x-rays.43664/

https://www.aapc.com/codes/coding-newsletters/my-orthopedic-coding-alert/reader-question-comparison-x-rays-may-not-be-payable-142231-article

 

[amyjph]

It's not billable in most cases.

https://www.kzanow.com/coding-coaches/billing-for-comparison-views