tci ED Coding & Reimbursement Alert - 2008 Issue 12

Reader Questions: Check Code Definition Before Appending Modifier 50

Question: A patient reports to the ED with complaints of sore ribs after crashing his bicycle into another cyclist. After a level-three E/M service, the physician orders and independently interprets a three-view bilateral rib series. The patient had no fractures, only some chest-wall bruising. Do I need modifier 50 for this x-ray series? Idaho Subscriber Answer: You won't need modifier 50 (Bilateral procedure), as the code you-ll use for the rib x-rays indicates that the procedure was done on both sides. On the claim, report the following: - 71110 (Radiologic examination, ribs, bilateral; three views) for the x-rays -...

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