Radiology Question for the Week of July 31, 2017

Question:

What should we be coding when a patient presents with an order for bilateral complete knee imaging with standing AP views?

Answer:

You count the total number of views performed for each knee and report each knee separately if images of both knees were medically necessary.  If the images of one knee were for comparison only, then you would report a code only for the affected knee.

So, if you had four views of the left knee and four views of the right knee, plus the bilateral standing view (all medically necessary), you have five views of each knee, and you would report 73564-50 or 73564-RT and 73564-LT (depending on payer preference for bilateral exams).

73564 Radiologic examination, knee; complete, 4 or more views

You cannot report code 73565 (bilateral standing AP) unless that is the only exam performed.

See the CPT Assistant, February 2015 for a Q & A regarding this issue.

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.

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 →