AMA CPT® Assistant - 2016 Issue 8 (August)
Diagnostic Radiology: Lower Extremities (73501-73552) (August 2016)
August 2016 pages 7-8 Diagnostic Radiology: Lower Extremities (73501-73552) For 2016, a new set of six bundled codes (73501, 73502, 73503, 73521, 73522, 73523) for hip and pelvis radiologic examination with a specified number of views were established to replace deleted codes 73500, 73510, 73520, 73530, 73540, and 73550. In addition, two new codes (73551, 73552) were established to describe a specific number of views of the femur. Codes 72170, 73500, 73520, and 73550 were identified by the AMA/ Specialty Society Relative Value Update Committee's (RUC's) Relativity Assessment Workgroup (RAW) for restructuring as bundled services for hip, pelvis, and...
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Article Overview
This CPT Assistant article explains the 2016 changes to lower-extremity diagnostic radiology coding, including the replacement of older hip, pelvis, and femur X-ray services with newly bundled CPT codes and the associated reporting context. It is useful for radiology coders, billing staff, and clinicians who need to understand the scope of the updated code family, the related CPT guidance, and how the article presents example procedures for the affected services.
Why This Topic Matters
The article matters because it documents a significant CPT code restructuring for lower-extremity radiology services and clarifies which examination categories were revised for 2016. Readers can use it to determine whether the article applies to hip, pelvis, or femur imaging services and to understand the broader coding context addressed by CPT Assistant.
Article Sections
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Lower Extremities
Overview of the 2016 lower-extremity diagnostic radiology code changes and the affected imaging service categories.
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Coding Tip
General guidance on selecting the appropriate CPT code based on the examination performed and the views obtained.
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Clinical Example (73501) / Description of Procedure (73501)
An example case and accompanying procedure discussion for one hip and pelvis radiology service category.
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Clinical Example (73502) / Description of Procedure (73502)
An example case and accompanying procedure discussion for one hip and pelvis radiology service category.
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Clinical Example (73503) / Description of Procedure (73503)
An example case and accompanying procedure discussion for one hip and pelvis radiology service category.
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Clinical Example (73521) / Description of Procedure (73521)
An example case and accompanying procedure discussion for a bilateral hips and pelvis radiology service category.
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Clinical Example (73522) / Description of Procedure (73522)
An example case and accompanying procedure discussion for a bilateral hips and pelvis radiology service category.
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Clinical Example (73523) / Description of Procedure (73523)
An example case and accompanying procedure discussion for a bilateral hips and pelvis radiology service category.
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Clinical Example (73551) / Description of Procedure (73551)
An example case and accompanying procedure discussion for a femur radiology service category.
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Clinical Example (73552) / Description of Procedure (73552)
An example case and accompanying procedure discussion for a femur radiology service category.
What You Will Learn
- The scope of the 2016 lower-extremity diagnostic radiology code revisions.
- Which broad imaging service categories are addressed in the article.
- How the article frames bundled radiology coding guidance and illustrative examples.
- The types of clinical scenarios used to demonstrate the revised CPT radiology codes.
Who Should Read This
- Radiology coders
- Medical billing staff
- Practice administrators
- Orthopedic and imaging clinicians
- Revenue cycle professionals
Codes Discussed
Code Ranges Discussed
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