Can You Report Pelvis X-rays Separately From 73502?
Question: A 72-year-old patient presented to an imaging clinic with complaints of low back and hip pain. The radiologist captured four X-ray views of the lumbar spine and three views of the left hip and pelvis. After reviewing the images, the physician documented their impressions as the following: Age indeterminate mild compression deformity involving the superior endplate of L4. Mild multilevel degenerative disc disease. No fracture or acute findings in hip and pelvis. No significant degenerative changes in hip and pelvis. Recommend MRI of the lumbar spine as clinically indicated. What procedure codes will I assign for this encounter? New York Subscriber Answer: You’ll assign two CPT® codes for this encounter. The radiologist captured X-ray views of the lumbar spine and the patient’s left hip and pelvis. Assign 72110 (Radiologic examination, spine, lumbosacral; minimum of 4 views) to report the lumbar spine X-rays. Next, you’ll use 73502 (Radiologic examination, hip, unilateral, with pelvis when performed; 2-3 views) to report the left hip and pelvis X-rays. You do not need an extra CPT® code to separately report the pelvis X-rays since 73502’s descriptor includes the wording “with pelvis when performed.” Mike Shaughnessy, BA, CPC, Development Editor, AAPC
