Podiatry Coding & Billing Alert

Question: According to the medical documentation, the provider performed the imaging supervision and interpretation for the patient’s ankle arthrography. Which CPT^® code should I report for this service? And what is arthrography?

California Subscriber

Answer: You should report 73615 (Radiologic examination, ankle, arthrography, radiological supervision and interpretation) for this service.

Remember: You should report 73615 for the radiological supervision and interpretation of X–rays taken during an arthrography of the ankle. The provider who performs imaging supervision and interpretation for this procedure should report 73615.

Arthrography definition: According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, arthrography is a “type of imaging test used to look at a joint ... It may be done if standard X-rays do not show the needed details of the joint structure and function.”

During an arthrography, “a long, thin needle is used to put contrast dye right into the joint and a series of X-rays is taken with the joint in various positions. X-rays use small amounts of radiation to get pictures of the inside of the body. Sometimes air is used as the contrast substance when regular contrast cannot be used.”