Part B Insider (Multispecialty) Coding Alert
Reader Question:
Know When 1 Code Covers 8 Views
Published on Thu Oct 04, 2012 
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Question:
Answer:
Assuming documentation indicates bilateral views, you should report a single unit of 70330 (Radiologic examination, temporomandibular joint, open and closed mouth; bilateral). If the imaging was unilateral you would instead report 70328 (... unilateral).As CPT® Assistant (May 2011) explains, "the code descriptor does not specify the number of views." So a single unit of 70330 is sufficient to report bilateral TMJ imaging with the mouth open and closed regardless of the number of views.
Additionally, CMS lists a Medically Unlikely Edit (MUE) of 1 for 70330. That means that if you report more than one unit of 70330 on a claim line, the line will be denied.
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Part B Insider (Multispecialty) Coding Alert
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