Wiki Arthrocentesis (hip injection for pain) with 73501

[sondra hayden]

I have audited a hip injection (20610) performed in the hospital outpatient radiology department by an orthopedist with fluoroscopic guidance. The radiology department has added a charge for the permanent one view on file with CPT 73501. I am under the impression that this permanent image is for confirmation of needle position and, therefore, inclusive to the procedure. A 77002 was charged for the fluoroscopic guidance (correctly). Do any of you have a resource that explains this? I am writing my audit report and would like to present the findings with citations.

 

[ttaylo30]

EncoderPro documentation

According to Optum360/Encoderpro

77002-"Fluoroscopic guidance produces x-ray images shown on a screen to assist in visualization of the anatomy, instrument insertion, and/or contrast."

I have attached the documentation to support this