Please note this question was answered in 2012. The coding advice may or may not be outdated.
NCCI edits
Date: May 16, 2012
Question:
I need clarification Column 1/Column 2 edits. With the Column 1 being the major component if a Column 2 code (71010 is perform after the Column 1 code)is performed, the column 2 code should not be coded/charged. Coding both codes would be unbundling. The column 2 code should only be charged if there is a new symptom post prodecure documented as reason for exam. Fluoro is not used. In the below it says "When billed together, 75625 (the Column 2 code) should not be paid." but they should not have been coded on the bill together at all. I want to make sure I understand it. Thanks Column 1/Column 2 edits, previously called Comprehensive and Component, are to detect when a procedure is billed separately that should be included in another procedure billed. When used together on a claim, these procedure codes are considered unbundled. The Column 1 code represents the major procedure. It requires greater effort and time as compared to a Column 2 code. The Column 2 code represents the lesser procedure or service, is Considered part of the Column 1 procedure, and is often represented by a lower payment. An example of this is code 75724, bilateral renal arteriogram, and 75625, abdominal aortogram. Code 75724 is the Column 1 code and is considered to include the work that is described by 75625. When billed together, 75625 (the Column 2 code) should not be paid.
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