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Radiology Coding Alert

Reader Question:

72170 and 73500 Don't Conflict

Published on Fri Jan 06, 2012

Question: Our doctors often request 72170 (AP Pelvis 1-2 view) and 73500 (hip 1 view). Now we are being told by the facility that shoots the X-rays that this is incorrect, and we should only be doing 73510. From my research, billing out 72170 and 73500 together is not a bundling issue because they are different views. Which is correct? Codify MemberAnswer: Assuming you have orders and documentation supporting both the pelvis and hip views, you may report both 72170 (Radiologic examination, pelvis; 1 or 2 views) and 73500 (Radiologic examination, hip, unilateral; 1 view). Correct Coding Initiative (CCI) does not bundle these codes. Additionally, CPT® Assistant (March 2003) addressed a similar question regarding 72170 and 73510 (Radiologic examination, hip, unilateral; complete, minimum of 2 views). The published answer was that you may report both 72170 and 73510 when both studies are documented in the report.
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