Radiology Question for the Week of October 17, 2022

Question:

Usually, we instruct coders that if three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of images is not described in the medical report, it is appropriate to code for a CT study and not a CTA study. This situation most often arises when physicians dictate notes following a CT of the chest for pulmonary embolism. Often physicians identify such a study as a CTA because during the study they are looking at vessels, but such a study is not really a CTA for coding purposes. When coding a CTA of the abdominal aorta with runoffs (code 75635), if the coder does not see a dictation specifying that a 3D postprocessing technique was used, should the coder code for a CT of the abdomen with contrast, a CT of the right leg with contrast, and a CT of the left leg with contrast? The 3D requirement for a CTA study when coding abdomen with runoff creates an issue if the physician does not document a 3D postprocessing technique.

Answer:

If a 3D reconstruction of images is not appropriately documented in the medical report, a CTA study should not be reported. Though it would be “accurate” to report a CT of the abdomen, with contrast material study (code 74160), and a CT of each (right and left) lower extremity with contrast material (code 73701) with the correct modifier (modifier 50 or RT and LT), this could be judged to be “unbundling” the more comprehensive code. Thus, it is highly recommended that coders specifically ask the physician whether the 3D reconstruction of images was performed. If it was performed, then the physician should amend the report so that the coding can be reported appropriately to match the study performed.

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