Question:
We received an order for a computed tomography (CT) of the right ankle without contrast material and a CT of the right foot w/o on the same patient. Can we charge for both procedures separately if we separately scan each part? I know they both use the same CPT® code 73700 (CT, lower extremity; without contrast material). If we were to scan the entire region (toes to mid leg) in one scan I assume in that case we would only charge 73700 one time.
Answer:
Unlike with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the CT extremity codes are not charged per joint or non-joint. One extremity = one code regardless of the different “parts” imaged. If you image CT ankle and CT foot on the same leg, you would report 73700 only once.
CPT® is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association.