Sometimes the providers say "93306" in the Procedure performed, but they don’t mention color flow in the report, they don’t have Doppler measurements, or both.
Sorry if this is dumb, I am new to this!
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Download your Free copy of my "Medical Coding From Home Ebook" at the top right corner of this page 2018 CPC Practice Exam Answer Key 150 Questions With Full Rationale (HCPCS, ICD-9-CM, ICD-10, CPT Codes) Click here for more sample CPC practice exam questions with Full Rationale Answers Click here for more sample CPC practice exam questions and answers with full rationaleSometimes the providers say "93306" in the Procedure performed, but they don’t mention color flow in the report, they don’t have Doppler measurements, or both.
Sorry if this is dumb, I am new to this!
NCCInedits indicate these two are never reported together unless medical necessity is present – then append modifier 59.
Thanks!
Thanks!
I’m having trouble figuring out the correct code for a patient who came in for a Renal Artery Doppler. The code that I thought was correct, my boss disagreed with. She also presented the question to the provider, and he agreed with her. I guess I’m not fully grasping the way the report reads and that is why I’m thinking of the wrong code. Could someone please clarify this for me? I’ve included our discussion below. Thanks!
Original Email from Me: Pt no xxx had a Renal Artery Doppler on 4/26/18. The code for that (93976) is not in the fee schedule.
Response from boss: We need to discuss this. Why wouldn’t this be code 76770 or 76775?
Me: In the report on Ultralinq, they worded the procedure as "renal Artery Duplex." In the technique description of the report, it states "renal artery duplex examination using B-mode, color
flow, and spectral Doppler to assess arterial stenosis was performed."
93976: Duplex scan of arterial inflow and venous outflow of abdominal, pelvic, scrotal contents and/or retroperitoneal organs; limited study
76770: Ultrasound, retroperitoneal (eg, renal, aorta, nodes), real time with image documentation; complete
76775: Ultrasound, retroperitoneal (eg, renal, aorta, nodes), real time with image documentation; limited
In my opinion, 93976 reads more along the lines of what was performed.
Her Response: I asked provider in my meeting and he said it is 76770.
Radiology has NEVER been my strong point in billing, so any help understanding this would be greatly appreciated!
Reason For Exam: Abdominal Pain RLQ.
*
Findings: Uterus measures 6.6 x 3.4 x 4.2 cm with endometrial
thickness of 7 mm. Ovaries are within normal limits. No free fluid in
the pelvis.
*
IMPRESSION: No significant pathology
Can anyone suggest a CPT code for a doppler done with a thyroid ultrasound? I was looking at 76536 & 93880, but I don’t feel 93880 is correct because this is not carotids. Also, I see there is a CCI edit for these two codes. I do have an order for both exams.
I have copied the technique related parts of the report:
PROCEDURE: Real time gray scale and color Doppler sonographic imaging of the thyroid gland was obtained. Spectral analysis was performed with pulsatility and resistive indices.
There is increased color flow throughout the thyroid gland on Doppler interrogation.
Pulsatility and resistive indices, as follows:
PI***** RI*****
RIGHT LOBE UPPER POLE 0.96 0.60
RIGHT LOWER POLE 0.68 0.49
LEFT LOBE UPPER POLE 0.80 0.46
LEFT LOWER POLE 0.80 0.54
I realize this is not interventional coding, but I am hoping a Radiology coder will be able to help.
Thanks for your time!