Please note this question was answered in 2012. The coding advice may or may not be outdated.
Order specific for with or without contrast that change
Date: Oct 31, 2012
Question:
I code outpatient procedures for an OPPS hospital. We frequently receive MR and CT orders, and based on the diagnosis stated on the order, the radiologist believes that the exam would be more beneficial if performed without contrast or with contrast, however, the order requests the opposite. Do we need to obtain another order for "without contrast" or "with contrast" or can the study be performed per the radiologist's request as test design? Does Medicare offer specific guidance on this topic?
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