June 1997 page 10d
Coding Consultation
Radiology, 76857 (Q&A)
Question
Could you please explain when it is appropriate to append the -26 modifier to code 76857, when a clinician and a radiologist are involved?
AMA Comment
If the same clinician performs the initial interpretation of the ultrasound and prepares the report without the assistance of a radiologist, then he/she reports 76857-26.
However, if a radiologist or a second physician examines the film and informs the first physician of the interpretation, then the first physician does not code for these services. Even though the first physician may examine the...
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