• If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ & read the forum rules. To view all forums, post or create a new thread, you must be an AAPC Member. If you are a member and have already registered for member area and forum access, you can log in by clicking here. If you've forgotten the password it can be reset on our sign in section by entering your registered Email Address or Username here. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below..

Wiki MRI Spinal Survey

Create Wiki
N

nbohm

Guest
Messages
40
Best answers
0
In all my years of radiology coding I guess I have never seen this but report reads MRI Spinal Survey with the body of the report indicating cervical, thoracic, and lumbar abnormalities. The only cpt I find for this is 76498 which is unlisted and what we try to avoid. Is that the most appropriate or is there another cpt that I am missing?

Thanks
Nikki
MO
 
Question: Which CPT code should I use for a total spine MRI without contrast?

Answer: You won't find a single CPT code that describes a “total spine� MRI, but you may report a code for each region the radiologist examines:

• 72141 — Magnetic resonance (e.g., proton) imaging, spinal canal and contents, cervical; without contrast material

• 72146 — Magnetic resonance (e.g., proton) imaging, spinal canal and contents, thoracic; without contrast material

• 72148 — Magnetic resonance (e.g., proton) imaging, spinal canal and contents, lumbar; without contrast material.

Support: Reporting all three spine regions (cervical, thoracic, lumbar) is appropriate when the radiologist performs and interprets an MRI of all three regions, according to the July/August 2003 issue of The ACR's Radiology Coding Source. The ACR recommends that the radiologist dictate separate reports for each separate region studied.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top