CHEST X-RAY PA LATERAL VIEW AS WELL AS OBLIQUE VIEWS AND LORDOTIC VIEW:
INDICATION: Question of pneumonia.
What is correct CPT for this?
Thank you!
FINDINGS: There are no signs for intra-alveolar infiltrate. Lung parenchyma is unremarkable.
There is some mild scarring in the apices bilaterally. Otherwise normal appearance of the lung parenchyma. Heart mediastinum are within normal limits.
CONCLUSION: UNREMARKABLE CHEST X-RAY.
I know that this has been a questionable scenario for a long time. The coding concept seems to be confusing, but who practised for a long time, for them this can be a usual one.
Suggestions:
1. Firstly:If you are thinking for 71022, on the premise that the sequentially it goes higher up till oblique projections. But logically, in this manner, we are picking a code which doesn't include lordotic view. This may go against the coding guideline
2. Secondly: Picking the code 71021 makes it the minimum level which justifies for all the views taken and we may miss additional reimbursement for obliques views, but compliant to coding guideline.
3. Then Why not 71030: Four Views complete will be taken when the above specific views are not counted, as we have specific code for specific views.
Conclusion: 71021
CPT 71021 is for chest with apical lordotic procedure..then can I also use 71035 for oblique views?
Using any othe code would condtradict many other coding guidelines, and based on guidelines can't be allowed. But, comparatively coding 71021 would miss reimbursement for "oblique"addded, but will otherwise comply with all other requirements for documentation.
