AMA Clinical Examples in Radiology - 2006 Issue 2 (Spring)
Radiology FAQ
Radiology FAQ If you have a question you would like to see addressed in the newsletter, please e-mail clinex@acr.org. The editorial staff will pick the most frequently asked questions for publication. Question: Answer: When a patient undergoes diagnostic mammography and at the completion of the study requests a consultation with the radiologist to discuss the findings, is it appropriate to code for an evaluation and management (E/M) consultation visit? No, it would not be appropriate to report an E/M visit following a diagnostic mammogram in this circumstance. The postservice work of a diagnostic mammogram typically includes discussing the...
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Article Overview
This article compiles frequently asked radiology coding questions and answers from ACR publication content. It focuses on general CPT and CMS-related guidance for radiology encounters, including when separate professional services may be reported, how certain imaging-related procedures are categorized, and how reconstructions or guidance services are discussed in relation to imaging studies. It is useful for radiologists, coders, and billing staff reviewing outpatient imaging documentation and code selection topics.
Why This Topic Matters
Radiology coding often depends on whether a service is bundled into an imaging exam or separately reportable, and this FAQ addresses common ambiguity in those scenarios. It helps coding and compliance teams understand the scope of guidance discussed in the source before reviewing the full premium article.
Article Sections
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E/M reporting after diagnostic mammography
Discusses a radiology billing question involving post-exam patient discussion and the documentation concepts relevant to reporting a separate evaluation and management service. The section also notes related CMS consultation guidance context.
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Fiducial marker placement for lung tumors
Addresses coding considerations for image-guided marker placement in a thoracic setting and the associated imaging guidance and supply reporting topics. The discussion also references category-based CPT status and related prostate use context.
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Dedicated MRI of the sacral plexus
Explains how a targeted sacral plexus MRI is framed within broader pelvic imaging reporting. The section provides anatomical context and references pelvic pathology as the clinical setting.
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Spine reconstructions from abdominal CT data
Covers coding issues arising from reconstructed spine interpretations derived from prior CT data, including professional and technical component concepts. It also addresses reformatted and three-dimensional reconstruction topics in the radiology workflow.
What You Will Learn
- How the article approaches common radiology coding questions from an FAQ format.
- The kinds of documentation and service-separation topics discussed for radiology-related evaluation and management reporting.
- How the article frames imaging guidance, marker placement, and reconstruction-related billing issues.
- How selected radiology procedures are discussed in relation to CPT and CMS guidance.
Who Should Read This
- Radiologists
- Radiology coders
- Medical billing staff
- Compliance professionals
- Imaging department administrators
Codes Discussed
Code Ranges Discussed
Modifiers Discussed
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