Nuclear Medicine and Diagnostic Ultrasound

 ADD-ON CODES: Certain codes, by the nature of their description and the maximum fees assigned, have already been reduced, as they are not to be billed as primary procedures. For a complete list of the codes which are considered to be add-on codes, refer to the appropriate appendix found within the most recent publication of the AMA Current Procedural Terminology (CPT). 

MATERIALS SUPPLIED BY HEALTH CARE PROVIDER: Supplies and materials provided by the health care provider (e.g., sterile trays, drugs) over and above those usually included with the office visit or other services rendered may be listed separately. The statement of charges will need to reflect any drugs, trays, supplies, and materials that were provided. Payment shall not exceed the cost of the item(s) to the health care provider plus 25% of the cost or the cost of the item(s) plus $15.00 per item, whichever is less. Use procedure code 99070. The Maximum Fees in this section do not include radiopharmaceutical or other radionuclide material costs. List the name and dosage of radiopharmaceutical material and cost. 

 INJECTION PROCEDURES: Charges for injection procedures are to include all usual pre- and post-injection care specifically related to the injection procedure, necessary local anesthesia, placement of needle or catheter, and injection of contrast media. Vascular injection procedures are listed under the Cardiovascular Subsection of the Surgery Section, procedure codes 36000-36299. Other injection procedures are listed in pertinent sections. 

PROCEDURES LISTED WITHOUT SPECIFIED MAXIMUM ALLOWANCE: "BR" in a maximum fee column indicates that the amount charged for this service is to be determined "by report" because the service is too unusual, or variable to be assigned a maximum fee. Pertinent information should be furnished concerning the nature, extent, and need for the procedure or service, the time, skill, and equipment necessary, etc. Additional items which may be helpful might include: complexity of symptoms, final diagnosis, pertinent physical findings, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, concurrent problems, and follow-up care. 

 UNLISTED SERVICE OR PROCEDURE: When an unlisted service or procedure is performed, the procedure should be identified and the amount charged substantiated "by report" (BR). Unlisted service or procedure codes usually end in "99." 

MODIFIERS: Procedure codes for radiology services may be modified under certain circumstances. The circumstances are to be identified by the addition of a hyphen and the appropriate two digit modifier code. Refer to Appendix A - Modifiers for a list of modifiers that may be used. 

RADIOLOGY GROUND RULES

DUPLICATION OF X-RAYS: Every attempt should be made to minimize the number of x-rays taken. The attending health care provider or any other person or institution having possession of x-rays, which pertain to the patient and are deemed to be needed for diagnostic or treatment purposes, should make those x-rays available upon request. No payments shall be made for additional x-rays when recent x-rays are available, except when the charge is supported by adequate information regarding the need to perform another x-ray. 

PHOTOGRAPHIC MEDIA: The use of photographic media or imaging is not reported separately but is considered to be a component of the basic procedure and shall not merit any additional payment.

 XERORADIOGRAPHY: Imaging performed by this process shall have the same Maximum Allowable Fees as those listed for conventional x-ray procedures of the same anatomical area and views. 

 MAXIMUM FEES: The Maximum Fees contained within this fee schedule include both the "professional component” and the "technical component”. Identification of a service or procedure by its five digit code, without pertinent modifiers, indicates that the services provided include both the professional and technical components. Where the value is “0” for either the professional component or technical component there is no designated payment allowed. The professional component includes the examination of the patient when indicated, performance or supervision of the procedure, interpretation and written report of the examination including procedure results (e.g., x-ray images), and consultation with the referring health care provider. The value is shown in the “PC” column of this fee schedule. The technical component includes the charges for personnel, materials and other supplies, and space, equipment, and other facilities, but excludes the cost of radioisotopes. The value is shown in the “TC” column of this fee schedule. The total services component includes both the professional component and the technical component. The value is shown in the “TS” column of this fee schedule. Hospital outpatient facilities and ambulatory surgical centers must specify, by use of modifiers, when only the technical component or the professional component is provided. 

SERVICES PROVIDED BY A HOSPITAL OUTPATIENT FACILITY AND/OR AMBULATORY SURGICAL CENTER: For any radiology service(s) provided by a hospital outpatient facility and/or ambulatory surgical center, reimbursement for said service is to be limited to the maximum allowable payment contained within this section of the Fee Schedule.