Wiki Independent interpretation of test

[hilgerb]

Can I count the order and independent interpretation of a radiology order if the provider ordered it and does their own interpretation.

For example, the provider would place an order before patient is seen in the office and patient gets x-ray done prior to the office visit on same date of service and then provider reviews the x-ray during that patient's office visit and does their own interpretation. Can they count the order and interpretation both?

 

[julieordway]

You can't count both the order and interpretation of the test on the same day. The independent interpretation would count as one data point under Category 2.

 

[kbartrom]

On March 1st AMA released Errata & Technical Corrections for CPT 2023. The following was added to the definition for independent interpretation: "A test that is ordered and independently interpreted may count both as a test ordered and interpreted." In your scenario, as long as a radiologist is doing the "official" interpretation, your physician can count both order & interpretation of the x-ray. https://www.ama-assn.org/system/files/2023-cpt-corrections-errata.pdf