Question | Answer |
CAT Scan | Computerized Axial Tomography. |
MRI | Magnetic Resonance Imaging |
Fluoroscopy | Xray exam in real time. Body organ is displayed on a monitor for doctor to view as a surgical procedure is performed. |
Professional Component | Either supervision or interpretation of an Xray. (modifier -26) |
Technical Component | Portion of Xray exam done by technicians. Includes materials used during the procedure. Modifier -TC |
Stark Law | Part of the new insurance federal insurance plan. Requires doctors to refer patients to all imaging sources; not just the ones the doctor has a financial interest in. |
Contrast | A medium that is injected into a patient to enhance scanned or Xray images. |
Modifier -51 | Multiple procedures |
bilateral | both sides |
supine | lying on the back |
prone | lying face down |
AP | front (anterior) to back (posterior) path of beam |
PA | back to front path of beam |
proximal | close to |
distal | far from |
tangental | Xray beam skims the surface or edge of of the body part. |
Plus code | CPT code that is added to another related code. |
oblique | diagonal line |
Multiple procedure modifier | -51 |
Bilateral procedure modifier | -50 |
When do you use a modifier for an Xray that requires contrast medium | This is found in the CPT notes. |
S&I | Supervision and Interpretation, or
Scanning & Imaging |
dosimetry | Measurement of the effects of radiation on tissues. |
-26 | Modifier for Professional component |
-TC | Modifier for Technical component |
When you see "with contrast" as part of a code description you cannot charge for... | contrast medium or the injection. |
Interventional radiology is used for location and treatment. Here the doctor is: | Both a radiologist and a surgeon |
When an xray needs contrast material and the code does not have "with contrast" you can: | code for the injection
code for the contrast material injected |
Angiograpny | Xray of blood vessel |
A doctor has a patient visit an xray clinic for a chest xray. The clinic does the procedure and sends the doctor the xray.
What does the clinic charge for: | The clinic charges for the procedure and materials required.They also need to use modifier -TC |
supine | lying on the back |
Prone or Ventral position | lying on stomach |
ventral decubitus | lying on stomach with Xray beam aimed at the side. |
RAO | right anterior oblique. Body is diagonal to beam. The beam projects back to front |
LPO | left posterior oblique. Body is diagonal to beam. The beam projects from front to back. |
Dorsal | back |
What is the code for:
Code for a complete chest Xray four views. Technical component only. | 71030-TC |
What is the code for a complete chest Xray, four views - Professional component only | 71030-26 |
Component or combination coding | A code from the Radiiology sections and a code from another section of the CPT book is required to fully describe the procedure. |
position | How the pt. is placed (positioned) for the Xray |
projection | The path of the Xray beam. Indicates the direction through the patient. |
lateral | to the side |
right lateral | pt. right side is closest to the film. |
left lateral | pt. left side is closest to the film. |
Ventral | Refers to the front. May be stated as "prone" Means that pt. is lying on stomach |
Decubitus positions | Recumbent (lying down) Xray beam goes into the patient's side (horizontal). |
recumbent | lying down. |
global | Both professional and technical components. No modifier is used if you code for global procedure. |
-52 | Modifier 52 is used to indicate less of the procedure was performed than is described by the code. |
ultrasound | Use of high frequency sound waves to diagnose and treat disease. |
A doctor injects a contrast material into the patient. A technician takes the Xrays The doctor performs S&I for an Xray. How many codes are there? | 1. code for the injection 2. One code for the global Xray (both technical and professioinal) |
A CXR complete 4 views is ordered. There could only be 3 views completed. What is the code? | CXR 71030 for the Xray Modifier -52 to indicated that less than 4 views were taken. |
interventional radiology | sub-specialty of radiology which utilizes minimally-invasive image-guided procedures to diagnose and treat diseases in nearly every organ system. |