CathCoding
Contributor
We are a hospital based physician coding group (we only code [-26] professional side) We have newly acquired a radiology group and need to pose a question.
Pain physician did a medial branch block on bilateral L-3, L-4, L-5 utilizing codes 64493 & 64494 these codes include imaging guidance (fluoroscopy).
The pain physician documents that the "anatomical landmarks were identified with the fluoroscopy" and "the position of the needle was confirmed via fluoroscopy". All images then get sent to the radiologist. The radiologist interprets the images demonstrating the needle placement being at the correct levels. Since all physicians are billed through the same Tax ID is it appropriate to code the radiologist charges even though the fluoroscopy was utilized and included in the surgery documentation?
Thank you in advance and I look forward to everyone's responses.
Pain physician did a medial branch block on bilateral L-3, L-4, L-5 utilizing codes 64493 & 64494 these codes include imaging guidance (fluoroscopy).
The pain physician documents that the "anatomical landmarks were identified with the fluoroscopy" and "the position of the needle was confirmed via fluoroscopy". All images then get sent to the radiologist. The radiologist interprets the images demonstrating the needle placement being at the correct levels. Since all physicians are billed through the same Tax ID is it appropriate to code the radiologist charges even though the fluoroscopy was utilized and included in the surgery documentation?
Thank you in advance and I look forward to everyone's responses.