Tag Archives: radiology
Radiology Coding: CPT 2010 Breathes New Life Into Your Respiratory Coding
Posted on 14. Jan, 2010 by Editor.
Master 32561’s guidelines to prevent a major units gaffe.
Flip through the Surgery/Respiratory System section of your CPT 2010 manual, and you’ll see the coding committee has been hard at work adding to and revising your options. Discover the added…
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Radiology Coding Challenge: Total Spine MRI Without Contrast
Posted on 05. Jan, 2010 by Editor.
MRI sagittal image of sacral and dorso-lumbar perineural cysts. Malisan.mrosa.
Question: Which CPT code should I use for a total spine MRI without contrast?
Answer: You won’t find a single CPT code…
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HCPCS 2010: Make Room for New MRI Contrast Codes A9581, A9583
Posted on 17. Dec, 2009 by Editor.
AdreView gets its own ‘A’ code, too.
You can leave confusing “not otherwise classified” codes behind for a few more of the contrast agents that you use.
For services on or after Jan. 1, be sure you’re using the product-specific…
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How to Code for Screening Mammogram When Radiologist Finds Problem?
Posted on 06. Dec, 2009 by Editor.
Watch out: Results don’t turn screening into diagnostic
Question: A patient presented for a screening mammogram, and the radiologist determined the patient needed an ultrasound for a closer look. The patient returned for that test at a later date. Should…
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Celebrate CT Colonography’s 2010 Move to Category I
Posted on 01. Dec, 2009 by sanjay.aikat.
But don’t assume the new codes will yield improved fees.
Virtual colonoscopy coverage may be a mixed bag, but the AMA showed some confidence in the service by moving its codes from temporary Category III status to full-fledged…
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Radiology Coding Education: Is 76705 OK for Back?
Posted on 03. Nov, 2009 by Editor.
Question: For a lower back ultrasound of a soft tissue mass, which CPT code is appropriate?
Answer: Code 76705 (Ultrasound, abdominal, real time with image documentation; limited [e.g., single organ, quadrant, follow-up]) is appropriate for this lower back ultrasound.
Although…
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Double Ultrasound Codes Spell Double Trouble With Auditors
Posted on 25. Oct, 2009 by Editor.
Authorities scrutinize medical necessity for 76830 & 76856.
The OIG is watching your ultrasound orders and code combinations — and it doesn’t like what it sees. Take note of these problem spots to keep your claims in the clear.
An OIG audit of…
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Radiology Billing Checklist: Rules for Additional Tests without Treating Physician’s Order
Posted on 22. Oct, 2009 by Editor.
Keep these additional test rules at your fingertips if your want to keep auditors out of your hair.
The Office of Inspector General and Recovery Audit Contractors are out to audit non-compliant ultrasound claims, so knowing the rules is more…
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5 Lessons Radiology Coders Should Learn From CCI 15.3
Posted on 15. Oct, 2009 by Editor.
Wonder if there’s a method to the 76001 madness? Here’s where to look for answers.
The silver lining to the 18,000 Correct Coding Initiative (CCI) that just came rumbling in with CCI 15.3. Analyzing them can help you master radiology…
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Cardiology Coding Education: Pacemaker Lead Check
Posted on 15. Sep, 2009 by Editor.
Illustration: Heikenwaelder Hugo, Austria.
Question: The cardiologist documented testing pacemaker leads using fluoroscopy (71090) in the hospital. Which code is appropriate for the testing?
Answer: You mention 71090 (Insertion pacemaker, fluoroscopy and…
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How Do You Code for a Metastatic Tumor?
Posted on 19. Aug, 2009 by Editor.
How metastasis occurs
Question: What is the difference between a primary and secondary neoplasm? I’m confused about which code to use for a metastatic tumor once the original tumor has been removed.
Answer:…
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3 Big Fee Schedule Changes for Radiology Coding & Billing
Posted on 24. Jul, 2009 by Editor.
Capture additional $2,305 for Bilateral 50593 by Applying Fee Schedule Correction
CMS is adding some sizzle to your summer with three exciting physician fee schedule changes. Sacroplasty, renal tumor ablation, and stereoscopic x-ray guidance for radiation therapy all have news…
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Radiology Coding Challenge: Rate Your Reformatting Skills
Posted on 17. Jul, 2009 by Editor.
Question: My radiology report documents axial CT slices from the orbits to the thoracic inlet and of the larynx. And there are sagittal and coronal computer reconstruction images. Which CPT codes should I report?
Answer: You’ll need only one…
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PFS 2010 Highlights: Consultations Axed, More Reimbursement for PCPs
Posted on 05. Jul, 2009 by Editor.
Right before many of us left for the beach or other July 4th hijinks, CMS released the proposed Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for 2010. That’s right. The fun’s over. It’s time to take off your flip flops, and take in…
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Spot Lung Scan Documentation Clues With Helpful Chart
Posted on 11. May, 2009 by Editor.
Perf. Xenon. DPTA. Xe133. No, these aren’t characters in the new Star Trek movie. They’re important op note clues that tell you how to code within the 78580-78596 range.
Watch for these key lung scan terms — in addition to…
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OIG Slaps Radiology Practice With Record $2 Million Penalty
Posted on 06. Apr, 2009 by Editor.
Think it’s okay to provide diagnostic tests without physician orders? One Las Vegas radiology practice is paying dearly for making that mistake, among others.
The physician-owned practice will pay $2 million to resolve allegations that it submitted false claims to…
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Prevent ‘Duplicate’ Chest X-Ray Denials With Modifiers 59 and 76
Posted on 20. Mar, 2009 by Editor.
Keep 71010 troubles at bay with this helpful time-stamp tip.
Reporting more than one chest x-ray for the same date can raise questions for payers. Are you accidentally reporting a single service more than once? If there…
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Nuclear Medicine Code Crosswalk: Bone Scans
Posted on 18. Mar, 2009 by Editor.
If your practice has trouble following which bone scan codes you can report concurrently, our chart will help you determine when you should — and shouldn’t — report more than one bone scan…
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Radiology Reimbursement Problem: Bad Scans Cost As Much As Good Ones
Posted on 04. Mar, 2009 by Editor.
The Obama budget released last week wants to save Medicare $260 million with ‘radiology benefits managers.’ These watchdogs likely will focus on how many scans are done, because that’s easy…
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How Obama’s Medicare Cuts Hit Physician Reimbursement
Posted on 27. Feb, 2009 by Editor.
Courtesy WhiteHouse.gov.
The budget released Thursday suggests we cut $300 billion from Medicare & Medicaid reimbursement over the next 10 years.
Where will the savings come from, even as more and…
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