Question:
Our radiologist interpreted a right upper and lower quadrant (RUQ and RLQ) ultrasound ordered by the ER physician. The spleen was not examined so we cannot code a 76700 exam. Is it appropriate to code 76705 twice and add a 59 modifier to the second one?
Answer:
According to CPT® guidelines, code 76705 would be reported once: “If one or more elements as required by 76700 is not imaged (or is not documented as to why it couldn’t be seen), then 76705 is coded for all imaging that was done.”
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