CPC Radiology and Pathology Coding 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A radiologist provides only the technical component of an X-ray in a hospital-owned facility. Which modifier should the facility report?
- -26
- -TC (Correct answer)
- -52
- -GC
Correct answer: -TC
Modifier -TC identifies the technical component (equipment, supplies, technologist) when billed separately from the professional component.
Question 2: Which of the following best describes Level III surgical pathology (CPT 88307)?
- Routine skin shaving with no special stains
- Appendix, gallbladder, fallopian tube, testis (Correct answer)
- Bone marrow biopsy interpretation
- Cyst or benign skin lesion simple excision
Correct answer: Appendix, gallbladder, fallopian tube, testis
CPT 88307 covers Level VI specimens such as appendix, fallopian tube removed for non-neoplastic conditions, and testis.
Question 3: Fluoroscopy performed by a radiologist as a separate service during a surgical procedure is reported using which code range?
- 76000-76001 (Correct answer)
- 77001-77003
- 74000-74022
- 73000-73140
Correct answer: 76000-76001
CPT 76000-76001 describe fluoroscopy as a separate service when not bundled into another procedure code.
Question 4: When a physician performs ultrasound-guided aspiration of a cyst and then interprets the imaging, which components are separately reportable?
- The aspiration only; imaging is bundled
- The aspiration and the guidance/imaging interpretation separately (Correct answer)
- Neither; both are included in the E/M code
- Only the imaging; the aspiration is incidental
Correct answer: The aspiration and the guidance/imaging interpretation separately
The procedural aspiration code and the imaging guidance code are reported separately when both are documented and performed.
Question 5: A patient receives a PET scan of the skull base to mid-thigh with CT transmission scan. Which CPT applies?
- 78816
- 78814
- 78815 (Correct answer)
- 78806
Correct answer: 78815
CPT 78815 describes PET imaging skull base to mid-thigh with concurrently acquired CT for attenuation correction.
Question 6: Which type of pathology service requires a written report documenting the gross and microscopic examination?
- Clinical pathology consultation only
- Surgical pathology (CPT 88300-88309) (Correct answer)
- Cytopathology smear interpretation
- Urinalysis microscopy
Correct answer: Surgical pathology (CPT 88300-88309)
Surgical pathology codes require documentation of both gross and microscopic examination findings with a formal written report.
Question 7: A diagnostic ultrasound of a pregnant uterus at 28 weeks includes biophysical profile with NST. Which code is reported for the biophysical profile?
- 76818 (Correct answer)
- 76819
- 76801
- 76811
Correct answer: 76818
CPT 76818 describes fetal biophysical profile with non-stress test (NST) included.
CPC Radiology and Pathology Coding 3
A radiologist provides only the technical component of an X-ray in a hospital-owned facility.
Which modifier should the facility report?