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A radiologic examination of the chest, identified by CPT® Code 71048, involves the acquisition of four or more views of the chest area. This procedure utilizes chest radiographs, commonly known as X-rays, to create detailed images of various anatomical structures within the thoracic cavity. These structures include the heart, lungs, bronchi, major blood vessels such as the aorta, vena cava, and pulmonary vessels, as well as the bones that form the chest wall, including the sternum, ribs, clavicle, scapula, and spine. The examination is essential for diagnosing a range of conditions affecting the chest and is performed using multiple views to ensure comprehensive visualization. In comparison to other CPT codes for chest radiography, such as 71045, which captures a single view, 71046 for two views, and 71047 for three views, the 71048 code specifically denotes the acquisition of four or more views. The most common views obtained during this examination include the frontal view, also known as anteroposterior (AP), posteroanterior (PA), and lateral views. The frontal view is achieved by positioning the patient facing the X-ray machine, while the PA view is obtained with the patient's back toward the machine. The lateral view requires the patient to be positioned with the side of the chest facing the X-ray machine. Additional specialized views may also be performed, such as the apical lordotic view, which enhances visualization of the upper regions of the lungs, and oblique views, which are useful for assessing pulmonary or mediastinal masses or opacities. The lateral decubitus view is another option, where the patient lies on their side to capture specific images. The resulting images can be recorded on hard copy film or stored electronically as digital images, allowing for thorough review by the physician, who will interpret the findings and document any abnormalities observed.
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The radiologic examination of the chest, as described by CPT® Code 71048, is indicated for a variety of clinical scenarios. The following conditions or symptoms may warrant this procedure:
The procedure for a chest radiologic examination under CPT® Code 71048 involves several key steps to ensure accurate imaging. Each step is designed to optimize the quality of the images obtained and to facilitate a thorough evaluation of the chest structures.
Post-procedure care for a chest radiologic examination typically involves minimal requirements, as the procedure is non-invasive and does not usually necessitate recovery time. Patients may resume normal activities immediately following the examination. However, it is important for patients to follow any specific instructions provided by the healthcare provider, especially if additional imaging or follow-up appointments are necessary based on the findings. The physician will discuss the results with the patient, including any further diagnostic steps or treatments that may be indicated based on the interpretation of the chest images.
| Short Descr | X-RAY EXAM CHEST 4+ VIEWS | Medium Descr | RADIOLOGIC EXAM CHEST 4+ VIEWS | Long Descr | Radiologic examination, chest; 4 or more views | Status Code | Active Code | Global Days | XXX - Global Concept Does Not Apply | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 1 - Diagnostic Tests for Radiology Services | Multiple Procedures (51) | 0 - No payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply. | Bilateral Surgery (50) | 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does NOT apply. | Physician Supervisions | 09 - Concept does not apply. | Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) | 0 - Payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure... | Co-Surgeons (62) | 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Team Surgery (66) | 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Diagnostic Imaging Family | 99 - Concept Does Not Apply | APC Status Indicator | STV-Packaged Codes | ASC Payment Indicator | Packaged service/item; no separate payment made. | Type of Service (TOS) | 4 - Diagnostic Radiology | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | none | MUE | 1 |
This is a primary code that can be used with these additional add-on codes.
| 0174T | Addon Code MPFS Status: Carrier Priced APC N CPT Assistant Article Computer-aided detection (CAD) (computer algorithm analysis of digital image data for lesion detection) with further physician review for interpretation and report, with or without digitization of film radiographic images, chest radiograph(s), performed concurrent with primary interpretation (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) |
| 26 | Professional component: certain procedures are a combination of a physician or other qualified health care professional component and a technical component. when the physician or other qualified health care professional component is reported separately, the service may be identified by adding modifier 26 to the usual procedure number. | X5 | Diagnostic services requested by another clinician: for reporting services by a clinician who furnishes care to the patient only as requested by another clinician or subsequent and related services requested by another clinician; this modifier is reported for patient relationships that may not be adequately captured by the above alternative categories; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the radiologist's interpretation of an imaging study requested by another clinician | TC | Technical component; under certain circumstances, a charge may be made for the technical component alone; under those circumstances the technical component charge is identified by adding modifier 'tc' to the usual procedure number; technical component charges are institutional charges and not billed separately by physicians; however, portable x-ray suppliers only bill for technical component and should utilize modifier tc; the charge data from portable x-ray suppliers will then be used to build customary and prevailing profiles | 59 | Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25. | 52 | Reduced services: under certain circumstances a service or procedure is partially reduced or eliminated at the discretion of the physician or other qualified health care professional. under these circumstances the service provided can be identified by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 52, signifying that the service is reduced. this provides a means of reporting reduced services without disturbing the identification of the basic service. note: for hospital outpatient reporting of a previously scheduled procedure/service that is partially reduced or cancelled as a result of extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well-being of the patient prior to or after administration of anesthesia, see modifiers 73 and 74 (see modifiers approved for asc hospital outpatient use). | 76 | Repeat procedure or service by same physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was repeated by the same physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 76 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service. | 77 | Repeat procedure by another physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a basic procedure or service was repeated by another physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 77 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service. | AQ | Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa) | AR | Physician provider services in a physician scarcity area | CR | Catastrophe/disaster related | FY | X-ray taken using computed radiography technology/cassette-based imaging | GA | Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | GV | Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider | GW | Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition | GZ | Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary | LT | Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body) | PD | Diagnostic or related non diagnostic item or service provided in a wholly owned or operated entity to a patient who is admitted as an inpatient within 3 days | Q1 | Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study | Q6 | Service furnished under a fee-for-time compensation arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area | RT | Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body) | X4 | Episodic/focused services: for reporting services by clinicians who provide focused care on particular types of treatment limited to a defined period and circumstance; the patient has a problem, acute or chronic, that will be treated with surgery, radiation, or some other type of generally time-limited intervention; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the orthopedic surgeon performing a knee replacement and seeing the patient through the postoperative period | XE | Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter | XP | Separate practitioner, a service that is distinct because it was performed by a different practitioner | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service |
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| 2018-01-01 | Added | Code Added. |
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