Ask Dr. Z

Dr Z the radiology managers asked me if they need to create two accession #'s when the physicians are asked to dictate separate reports for MRI/MRA same anatomical site. The Radiologists say there must be two accession #'s and I agree but the managers have asked me to verify this. The business office has been bundling MRI/MRA together instead of reporting each with modifier 59 on second code for a composite APC, thus potentially losing the hospital money. The Radiologists have been billing both procedures with 59 and mostly get paid, particurlarly by Medicare. CMS indicatd these can be submitted if two separate dictated reports are created. Thanks J