Cnichols10
New
I am a new coder and I have been put in charge of coding radiology, from CT to Echos to plain xrays etc etc...... My question is when I get an order that says they are sending the patient to get a DEXA scan for screening purposes (which is not covered) and then the radiologists finds the patient does have Osteoporosis, do I code what the order says or do i code what the radiologist finds.
This is my basic issue- the doctor will order for whatever reason that is not medically necessary and then the radiologist will find something that is medically necessary. Am i required to code the dx code on the order or can i just code the findings from radiology?
I have asked several people and seem to get a different answer each time. The guidelines talk about incidental findings but im not sure if it applies to xrays or not. Im very confused being new to all this and unsure of what to do. I just want to do it the correct way. Please help!!!!
Thanks Cindy
This is my basic issue- the doctor will order for whatever reason that is not medically necessary and then the radiologist will find something that is medically necessary. Am i required to code the dx code on the order or can i just code the findings from radiology?
I have asked several people and seem to get a different answer each time. The guidelines talk about incidental findings but im not sure if it applies to xrays or not. Im very confused being new to all this and unsure of what to do. I just want to do it the correct way. Please help!!!!
Thanks Cindy