Radiology Coding Alert

Question: How do I code bone length studies? The test in question includes images of the hips, knees and ankle joints. I am coding this with 76040, but am uncertain whether this is a unilateral or bilateral code.

California Subscriber

Answer: Although 76040 (bone length studies [orthoroentgenogram, scanogram]) is not explicitly defined as either unilateral or bilateral, it applies to all bones studied and would be coded only once.

For example, if the study is conducted to determine bone length in both lower extremities, the code is billed once to report the study from the feet through the hip joints.

If the study also is to evaluate the pelvis and pelvic tilt, the code is billed only once for the study to include both lower extremities through the lumbar-pelvic junction.

Bone length studies may also be performed in conjunction with diagnostic studies of the spine. If such studies are performed in conjunction with the bone length study, they should be separately coded and billed.


"You Be the Coder" and "Reader Questions" were answered by Donna Richmond, CPC, radiology coding specialist with Acadiana Computer Systems Inc., a medical billing management company based in Lafayette, La., that serves more than 200 radiologists, pathologists and anesthesiologists.