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Radiology Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Use Number of Views to Select X-Ray Code

Published on Wed Mar 23, 2005

Question: What is the number of views the physician must take to bill CPT 73620 and CPT 73630 ? And should I be billing for the number of units taken?

Illinois Subscriber Answer: As stated in the codes, 73620 (Radiologic examination, foot; two views) requires a minimum of two views of the foot, while 73630 (Radiologic examination, foot; complete, minimum of three views) requires a minimum of three views.

You should not be billing the number of views taken as the units taken - that is incorrect. You should select your x-ray code based on the number of views taken and report it as only one unit.

For example, if your practice x-rays both feet with three views of each foot, you would report 73630 in one of two ways: on one line, as 73630-LT (Left side), -RT (Right side), or you can report each x-ray on a separate line, with the appropriate -LT, -RT appended (73630-LT, 73630-RT).
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