Question:
If a patient had a chest x-ray with a clinical indication of “pre-op for hip surgery,” what would be the best ICD-10-CM code to assign?
Answer:
The primary diagnosis code would be Z01.818 (Encounter for other preprocedural examination). If you know the reason for the surgery, that diagnosis code would be second, and any findings seen on the chest x-ray would be reported as a third diagnosis.
This question was answered in an edition of our Radiology Compliance Manager. For more hot topics relating to radiology services, please visit our store or call us at 1.800.252.1578, ext. 2.