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Radiology Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Report 76090 for Unilateral Spot Compression

Published on Fri Feb 20, 2004

Question: Which code should we report for a unilateral spot compression? Our consultant recommended 76096 , but it doesn't sound right.

Wyoming Subscriber Answer: You should report 76090 (Mammography; unilateral) for the unilateral spot compression, because this code includes spot compression views.

You should not report 76096 (Mammographic guidance for needle placement, breast [e.g., for wire localization or for injection], each lesion, radiological supervision and interpretation) for spot compressions. Radiologists most often report this code for mammography guidance during breast biopsies (19100-19103).

- The answers for You Be the Coder and Reader Questions were reviewed by Cindy C. Parman, CPC, CPC-H, RCC; and Gary S. Dorfman, MD, FACR, FSIR.
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