Revenue Cycle Insider

Question: A patient presented for a scoliosis evaluation, and their physician ordered cervical, thoracic, and lumbar X-rays. Should I bill the X-rays separately based on each spine section or should I use the 72081-72084 codes?

Massachusetts Subscriber

Answer: You’ll assign one code from the 72081-72084 (Radiologic examination, spine, entire thoracic and lumbar, including skull, cervical and sacral spine if performed (eg, scoliosis evaluation) …) code range depending on the number of views captured, since the images are used for a scoliosis evaluation. The codes are listed in the CPT^® code book as follows:

• 72081 (Radiologic examination, spine, entire thoracic and lumbar, including skull, cervical and sacral spine if performed (eg, scoliosis evaluation); one view)
• 72082 (… 2 or 3 views)
• 72083 (… 4 or 5 views)
• 72084 (… minimum of 6 views)

Tip: Make sure the number of documented views matches the number of views stored in the images so you can assign the correct X-ray code. If the number of views is inconsistent with the stored images, you can query the provider.

Mike Shaughnessy, BA, CPC, Production Editor, AAPC