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Radiology Coding Alert

CPT 2011:

74176-74178 Use Becomes Clearer With These Tips

Published on Thu Jan 06, 2011

'Unbundling' becomes a taboo term for abdominal and pelvic CTs.If you've been scratching your head about the wording of new code 74178, you aren't alone. But the AMA has released more details that should help guide you to the proper code.Anatomic Combination Is Key to 74176-74178The creation of 74176-74178 is one of the big changes for coding in 2011, says Kelly C. Loya, CHC, CPC-I, CPhT, managing consultant with Sinaiko Healthcare Consulting Inc. The codes are as follows:74176 -- Computed tomography, abdomen and pelvis; without contrast material74177 -- ... with contrast material(s)74178 -- ... without contrast material in one or both body regions, followed by contrast material(s) and further sections in one or both body regions.Rationale: Patients often have imaging of the abdomen and pelvis performed at the same setting, and the intent of the new CPT codes is to reflect this reality, according to the presentation by Richard Duszak, MD, FACR, FRBMA, [...]
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