Physician Practice

Correctly code ultrasound procedures in an office setting

Physician Practice Insider, July 28, 2015

In the physician office setting, coders are likely familiar with the concept of coding for chest x-ray and x-ray procedures.
 
However, many more providers are offering ancillary services within their office practice to make diagnostic testing more convenient for patients. The use of ultrasound at the bedside, or within the office practice, is becoming more and more common in provider specialty-based clinic settings.
 
Most people consider ultrasound to be primarily used in an OB/GYN practice, as it frequently is for early fetal viewing and diagnosing female gynecologic issues. However, ultrasound is used in specialty areas such as:
  • Ophthalmology
  • Otolaryngology (ear, nose, and throat)
  • General surgery
  • Orthopedics
  • Urology
Ultrasound is defined as sound waves with frequencies higher than those audible by people. Ultrasound images are made by sending pulses of ultrasound waves into tissue using a probe. The sound echoes off the tissue or areas being scanned and are then recorded and displayed as an image.
 
Ultrasound (also known as sonography) can be extremely useful in many specialty practices. The CPT® Manual provides coders a broad range of codes to choose from. In the manual, the diagnostic ultrasound section is set up similarly to the traditional x-ray codes.
 
Continue reading “Correctly code ultrasound procedures in an office setting”by Lori-Lynne A. Webb, CPC, CCS-P, CCP, CHDA, CDIP, COBGC, at JustCoding.com. Members of HCPro’s JustCoding have access to the full article.

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