Radiology Question for the Week of October 15, 2018

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.


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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.

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