Wiki Coding brachial plexus

[mysticd]

Help! I've always told my imaging centers to use MRI Chest when an MRI Brachial Plexus is ordered because that was what I was taught. However, our new radiologist suggested a better code would be to use MRI of the Soft tissue of the neck. What do you think? Thanks, your help is appreciated!

 

[jgf-CPC]

Which specific CPT code is he suggesting and what were you using in the past? This would help in looking at it anatomically and thanks!

 

[mysticd]

We are currently using 71550 and the RAD suggested that we use 70540. Thanks.

 

[Walker22]

The brachial plexus is located primarily in the neck. I don't see any chest involvement at all, therefore I think 70540 is the better code. I'm not a radiology expert, however.

 

[cmcgarry]

Since the brachial plexus nerves originate in the cervical/thoracic spine, wouldn't an MRI of the spinal canal be the more appropriate code?

 

[mysticd]

Thanks for all your help. I have one of the techs checking to see what the ACR standard is. But I think since we are dealing with nerves that S.T. neck would be better and since that is what the rad suggested.....Thanks.

 

[sphillips79]

I use the neck code as well