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Radiology Coding Alert

READER QUESTIONS:

Count Oblique as 2 Views

Published on Fri Nov 25, 2005

Question: If my radiologist documents AP, lateral, and oblique views of the spine, does this count as three views or four views?


New York Subscriber


Answer: For the views you report, you should choose a four-view code.

Why: "Oblique views" is actually two views. 

Example: If the radiologist documents x-rays with AP, lateral, and oblique views of the cervical spine, report 72050 (Radiologic examination, spine, cervical; minimum of four views).

Note: Very rarely, your radiologist may document one oblique view, instead. In that case, count the oblique view as one view.
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