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Radiology Coding Alert

Reader Questions:

Save 76098 for Specimen

Published on Fri Aug 20, 2010

Question: I'm trying to determine whether to use 76098 for a case. When is the code appropriate? Michigan Subscriber Answer: Code 76098 (Radiological examination, surgical specimen) applies when the radiologist examines a tissue specimen removed during surgery. Key point: Use the code for X-ray of the specimen removed, not for imaging of the operative field. You may use 76098 most often in connection with X-ray of tissue removed from the breast. The imaging allows the radiologist to asses whether the surgeon (or radiologist) biopsied the appropriate area. Example: A radiologist biopsies an area of the breast using a Mammotome system. He then X-rays the specimen to ensure that the sample contains the questionable tissue.
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