Modifying Diagnostic Test Orders

It is expected that testing facilities will not routinely modify diagnostic test orders from the ordering physician. Although diagnostic test orders may conditionally request an additional diagnostic test, the conditional request must come from the ordering physician. New orders must be obtained when a test is determined to be clinically inappropriate or suboptimal, or when the result of an ordered diagnostic test is normal and the radiologist believes another diagnostic test should be performed for correct diagnosis.

Conditions to Modify Diagnostic Test Orders

If the testing facility (non-hospital) cannot reach the treating physician/practitioner to change the order or obtain a new order, and documents this in the medical record, then the testing facility may furnish the additional diagnostic test if all the following criteria apply:

• Test originally ordered performed
• Based on result additional test necessary
• Delaying performance would have adverse effect
• Result is communicated to treating physician and used in treatment
• Interpreting physician clearly documents why additional tests performed

Perhaps the most critical point in the above five criteria is the one stating that delaying performance of the test would have an adverse effect on the patient. If this is not the case, an additional diagnostic test should not be performed without a new order from the referring physician, even if all of the other criteria can be met.

Providing Additional Tests

There are a few circumstances in which the testing facility may provide different or additional tests.
Test Design. The test design exception allows the radiologist to determine certain parameters of a diagnostic test when not specified by the ordering physician. This exception includes the number and types of views for X-ray exams, unless otherwise specified by the ordering physician, or the use of contrast material (such as with CT or MRI exam, when the physician has not made any mention of contrast). If the ordering physician has specified either the number or types of views or use or non-use of contrast, the testing facility should not automatically modify the test order and should request a corrected order.
Clear Error. A test order may be modified if there is clear error, such as when the order specifies an exam to be performed of the left extremity, and patient is symptomatic in the right extremity.
Patient Condition. The radiologist may cancel an order when the condition of the patient prevents completion of the ordered diagnostic test. Any medically necessary preliminary scout imaging may be billed.

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Stacie Buck, RHIA, CIRCC, CCS-P, RCC

Stacie L. Buck, RHIA, CIRCC, CCS-P, RCC, RCCIR, AAPC Fellow, is president and senior consultant at RadRx in Stuart, Fla. (www.radrx.com). She is a national speaker who provides consulting services to providers of diagnostic and interventional radiology services and is the author of the book Cracking the IR Code: Your Comprehensive Guide to Mastering Interventional Radiology Coding and creator of Mastering Interventional Radiology & Cardiology Online Education Program. Buck may be contacted at sbuck@radrx.com. She is a member of the Stuart, Fla., local chapter.

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