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Pulmonology Coding Alert

Reader Questions:

Look to 76942 for Radiologic Guidance

Published on Mon Sep 08, 2008

Question: My physician has begun using radiologic guidance during paracentesis and thoracentesis procedures. How should I code this?Maryland SubscriberAnswer: Report 76942 (Ultrasonic guidance for needle placement [e.g., biopsy, aspiration, injection, localization device], imaging supervision and interpretation) for the guidance. If your physician does not own the equipment or orders the service in a facility-based setting, append modifier 26 (Professional component) to the claim.Remember: You must have a formal report of interpretation before billing radiology services.
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