Wiki 93970 vs 93971 - bill cpt code

[dmccullers]

Can someone tell me exactly what is required to be scanned to be able to bill cpt code 93970? We have been billing 93970 for ALL bilateral duplex ultrasound and I think this has been incorrect. I think some should have been coded as 93971. With that said if we are doing a limited bilateral duplex ultrasound, would we bill 93971 mod 50?

 

[amymeyers01]

Complete vs limited

I am not at my computer to check the reference, but I believe the ACR or Medlearn defines a complete bilateral duplex as examining a minimum of 3 vessels per leg. A limited bilateral would just be coded with 93971 - not-50 for it. Typically, you only see this for vein mapping prior to a procedure.