AMA Clinical Examples in Radiology - 2017 Issue 2 (Spring)
RADIOLOGY TEST CASE ANSWER
RADIOLOGY TEST CASE ANSWER Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Without and With Gadolinium HOW TO CODE 71555 Magnetic resonance angiography, chest (excluding myocardium), with or without contrast material(s) DISCUSSION In this test case, it is appropriate to report Current Procedural Terminology(CPT ® )code 71555 , Magnetic resonance angiography, chest (excluding myocardium), with or without contrast material(s), rather than CPT code 75561 , Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging for morphology and function without contrast material(s), followed by contrast material(s) and further sequences. The selection of the appropriate CPT code should be based on the clinical indication for the procedure and the imaging performed...
Note: The following article synopsis was NOT provided by the AMA. It was created by Find-A-Code/innoviHealth.
Article Overview
This article reviews a radiology test case involving cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and chest magnetic resonance angiography, with supporting diagnostic coding references. It is intended for coders, radiologists, and clinical documentation staff who need to align the documented indication, imaging performed, and reported codes. The discussion also touches on documentation consistency and cites professional society practice parameters.
Why This Topic Matters
It helps readers understand how radiology documentation and the clinical indication affect code reporting, and why alignment between the ordered study and the performed imaging matters for compliant reporting.
Article Sections
How to Code
Introduces the coding context for the radiology test case and identifies the relevant procedure coding area.
Discussion
Explains the documentation review for the imaging study, including the relationship between the clinical indication, the imaging performed, and the reported procedure coding. It also notes related diagnostic coding references and broader documentation consistency concerns.
Sources
Lists professional society practice parameter references and the publication source for the test case.
What You Will Learn
The broad coding context for a cardiac MRI and related chest angiography case
How radiology documentation is discussed in relation to the clinical indication and imaging performed
Which diagnostic coding references are associated with the case
What professional society sources are cited as background material
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