Question:
Question
Several days after thyroid ablation therapy we did a follow-up thyroid scan but did not give any additional radiopharmaceutical. Can this follow-up scan be billed since we are not giving another radiopharmaceutical?
Answer
Yes, you may assign a code for the follow-up scan. Medicare will no longer deny an outpatient hospital nuclear medicine scan when a code for a radiopharmaceutical is not on the same claim. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recommend that you continue to add the radiopharmaceutical when appropriate, but the claim should not be denied.
Answer: