Radiology Coding Alert

Question: Should I report an ordered and performed one-view femur x-ray with 73550-26-52? Texas Subscriber Answer: Yes. You should report 73550 (Radiologic examination, femur, two views) with modifier 52 (Reduced services) to inform the payer that the physician performed a service that is a reduced version of what the code describes. You should also append 26 (Professional component) to show you're reporting the service's professional component only -- you aren't reporting the service's technical component on your claim. Remember: You should always report the most accurate code. If CPT included a one-view femur x-ray code, you would report that code rather than 73550-52. -- The answers for You Be the Coder and Reader Questions were reviewed by Jackie Miller, RHIA, CPC, senior consultant with Coding Strategies Inc. in Powder Springs, Ga.