Cardiology Question for the Week of November 11, 2019

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.

This question was answered in our Peripheral & Cardiology Coder. For more hot topics relating to cardiology services, please visit our store or call us at 1.800.252.1578, ext. 2.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn

CPT® copyright 2023 American Medical Association (AMA). All rights reserved.

Fee schedules, relative value units, conversion factors and/or related components are not assigned by the AMA, are not part of CPT, and the AMA is not recommending their use. The AMA does not directly or indirectly practice medicine or dispense medical services. The AMA assumes no liability for data contained or not contained herein.

CPT is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association.

Happy World Health Day! Our exclusive webcast, ‘2024 SDoH Update: Navigating Coding and Screening Assessment,’  is just $99 for a limited time! Use code WorldHealth24 at checkout.

SPRING INTO SAVINGS! Get 21% OFF during our exclusive two-day sale starting 3/21/2024. Use SPRING24 at checkout to claim this offer. Click here to learn more →