Radiology Coding Alert

Question: What specific codes may be added to describe performance of an aortogram with runoff and pressure monitoring?

Christine Lyles
Springfield, Ore.

Answer: There are no additional codes to be used for pressure monitoring. The service is included with the code or codes for the aortogram (75600-75630). If the pressure monitoring requires a lot of work and is greater than the service usually provided by the code description, you may consider appending modifier -22 (unusual procedural services).

Coders should be very cautious, however, in appending this modifier. Before you decide to use modifier -22, be aware that you will be expected to provide accurate supporting documentation to the insurance payer before you will be reimbursed at a higher rate. If the pressure monitoring is something routinely done with the aortogram, you will not be able to use modifier -22 to obtain a higher reimbursement. Overuse of this modifier may raise a warning flag with payers, so use it only when the circumstances warrant it.