Bradley gets an x-ray at a radiology clinic that employs its own technologists and radiologists. Would the coder at the clinic report the technical and professional components of this x-ray separately? Would the answer differ if Bradley’s x-ray were sent to an independent radiologist for interpretation? Would any modifiers be used?

Explanation:

If Bradley examination was done and interpreted in the same facility, the radiologist code is used example- procedure code 72100- Radiologic examination, spine, lumbosacral, 2 or 3 views is reported.

if the X-ray was taken by Dr X but Dr X does not read or interpret the image but forward it to the radiologist for initial report, then a 26- modifier is used. E.g A reports by the technologist would be, procedure code 72050-Radiologic examination, spine, cervical, 2 or 3

views or 72050- TC in certain situations and the consulting radiologist would report 72050-26.

if Bradley’s x-ray were sent to an independent radiologist for interpretation, then the procedure code 76140 is used in reporting.