AAPC - American Academy of Professional Coders Radiology Section Guidelines Questions and Answers

Question 1

A radiologist, who is an independent contractor, interprets a chest X-ray that was performed at a hospital.
The hospital owns the equipment and its employee performed the technical portion of the service.
How should the radiologist report their service?

Accepted Answer

Report the CPT code with modifier 26

Answer

Report the CPT code with modifier TC

Answer

Report the CPT code without a modifier

Answer

Report the CPT code with modifier 52

Question 2

A patient undergoes a CT scan of the abdomen without contrast, followed by an additional scan of the same area with IV contrast during the same session. Which of the following best describes how this should be coded?

Accepted Answer

Use a single CPT code that describes a CT scan performed 'without contrast, followed by with contrast'.

Answer

Code the CT abdomen without contrast, and separately code the CT abdomen with contrast.

Answer

Code only the CT abdomen with contrast, as it is the more comprehensive service.

Answer

Bill for the contrast material using a HCPCS code and the CT without contrast CPT code.

Question 3

In the CPT manual, what does the designation '(separate procedure)' following a code description imply?

Accepted Answer

The procedure is normally part of a more extensive service and should not be billed separately if a related, larger procedure is performed.

Answer

The procedure must always be billed with modifier 59.

Answer

The procedure was the only one performed during the patient encounter.

Answer

The procedure can only be reported by a different physician on the same day.

Question 4

An interventional radiologist performs a diagnostic renal angiogram. They access the arterial system via the right common femoral artery, advance the catheter into the aorta, and then selectively guide it into the left renal artery for imaging. How is the catheter placement best described?

Accepted Answer

Selective catheter placement

Answer

Non-selective catheter placement

Answer

Second-order selective catheter placement

Answer

Global catheter placement

Question 5

A physician in a freestanding imaging center must provide which level of supervision for a CT scan of the lumbar spine with contrast?

Accepted Answer

Direct supervision

Answer

General supervision

Answer

Personal supervision

Answer

No supervision required

Question 6

A patient has a complete abdominal ultrasound (76700) and a complete retroperitoneal ultrasound (76770) performed during the same session by the same physician. Which modifier is most appropriately appended to the second procedure code?

Accepted Answer

Modifier 59 (Distinct Procedural Service)

Answer

Modifier 26 (Professional Component)

Answer

Modifier 76 (Repeat Procedure by Same Physician)

Answer

Modifier 50 (Bilateral Procedure)