Question:
Do you have any guidance on the required documentation for duplex scans?
Answer:
In the Ultrasound Coding User’s Guide, the American College of Radiology (ACR) specifically states “Assessing flow with color, recording a waveform and reporting the findings in a medically indicated examination are the key elements to look for in a report.”
Note: Both spectral analysis and color flow must be documented to assign one of the duplex codes and a report should document the velocity measurements of blood flow. Several terms that indicate spectral analysis are: acceleration rate, monophasic, biphasic or triphasic waveforms, peak systolicvelocity, resistive index (RI), velocity, waveform analysis.
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