Wiki Independent interpretation of CT scans

[mandy.wood]

When a patient is referred to a cardiovascular surgeon the referring physicain sends copies of the Ct Scans and results. If the cardiovascular surgoen does an independent interpretaion of the CT scan, can he charge for this separatley or is it included in the E/M level.

Example: A patient has procedure 74177 (CT abdomen w contrast), which was ordered by a cardioloigist and a radiologist performed the interpretation. The cardiologist referrs the patient to a cardiolovascular surgeon for further treatment. If the cardiovascular surgeon does an independent interpretain of the original CT scans, can he also charge 74177,26?

Any information I get regarding this will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[AmandaBriggs]

Per both the 1995 (page 13) and 1997 (page 45) Documentation Guidelines, "The direct visualization and independent interpretation of an image, tracing, or specimen previously or subsequently interpreted by another physician should be documented." Documenting this gives the physician points towards the amount and/or complexity of data to be reviewed section for medical decision making. It would not be appropriate to bill for another interpretation of a test already read and billed by another physician.

 

[tammyross]

If the cardiovascular doc does an independant interpretation, sees something more or different than what the radiologist read and documents accordingly, wouldn't be appropriate to bill it with the modifiers -26 and -77?