Question:
Question:
I am confused about hip studies when both left and right exams are done. I currently have two reports for the same patient and the same encounter for hip exams. One accession number is ordered as a left hip, two to three views. Dictation is one image of the left hip with a pelvis. The second accession number is for a right hip, single view. Dictation states single view of the right hip. Should these reports be combined into CPT code 73502 regardless of how they were ordered?
Answer:
Answer:
If they were done at the same session, you would combine them into 73522 for a bilateral hip exam. You have a total of three views: one view left hip, one view right hip, and pelvis.
| 73522 | Radiologic examination, hips, bilateral, with pelvis when performed; 3–4 views |
That’s assuming that both were medically necessary. If one of the hips was imaged as comparison, then you would not count/code for the images on that side. For instance, if the right hip image was done for comparison, you would report 73502 for the left hip view with pelvis.
| 73502 | Radiologic examination, hip, unilateral, with pelvis when performed; 2–3 views |