Ask Dr. Z

From your seminars I've attended in the past, there is always a slide regarding physician documentation best practices. Regarding peripheral studies, one of the bullet points is to state reason for repeat diagnostic study such as: change in clinical status since prior study, prior study doesn't include the area of current interest, prior study was inadequate for visualization of area of concern, emergent transfer and images not available. Is there guidance on what time frame is considered a recent CTA/MRA/Angiogram? Within that certain time frame the physician would need justification for repeat diagnostic at time of intervention. There is a discussion amongst our team as to whether recent means within the past 1,3 or 6 months. As always, our team greatly appreciates your guidance.