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A radiologic examination of the hip, designated by CPT® Code 73503, involves imaging of either the left or right hip joint, and may also include the pelvis if performed. This procedure utilizes X-ray technology, which employs indirect ionizing radiation to create images of the internal structures of the body. The principle behind X-ray imaging is based on the varying densities and compositions of human tissues; as X-rays pass through the body, some are absorbed while others are transmitted, resulting in a two-dimensional representation of the anatomical structures. The images produced, known as radiographs, are crucial for diagnosing a variety of conditions affecting the hip, including but not limited to fractures, dislocations, deformities, degenerative bone diseases, osteomyelitis, arthritis, foreign bodies, infections, and tumors. In a typical examination, a minimum of four distinct views of the hip are captured to provide comprehensive visualization. The standard views often include the anteroposterior view, which is taken with the patient lying supine and the legs straight, slightly rotated inward. Another common view is the lateral 'frog-leg' position, where the hips are flexed and abducted, with the knees bent and the soles of the feet together. Additionally, a cross-table view may be performed, positioning the unaffected hip and knee at a 90-degree angle to allow the X-ray beam to be directed perpendicular to the long axis of the femur on the affected side. An alternative lateral view may also be taken with the hip flexed and abducted at 45 degrees. This comprehensive approach ensures that the radiologist has sufficient information to assess the hip joint thoroughly. For coding purposes, it is important to note that CPT® Code 73501 is used for a single view of the hip, while CPT® Code 73502 is applicable for 2-3 views; CPT® Code 73503 is specifically designated for examinations that include a minimum of four views.
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The radiologic examination of the hip, as described by CPT® Code 73503, is indicated for a variety of clinical conditions and symptoms that may affect the hip joint. These indications include:
The procedure for a radiologic examination of the hip, CPT® Code 73503, involves several key steps to ensure comprehensive imaging of the hip joint. The following procedural steps are typically performed:
After the completion of the radiologic examination of the hip, the patient may be instructed to resume normal activities unless otherwise advised by the healthcare provider. The radiographs will be reviewed by a radiologist, who will interpret the images and provide a report detailing any findings. Depending on the results, further diagnostic testing or treatment may be recommended. It is important for the healthcare provider to discuss the findings with the patient and outline any necessary follow-up actions or referrals to specialists if indicated.
| Short Descr | X-RAY EXAM HIP UNI 4/> VIEWS | Medium Descr | RADEX HIP UNILATERAL WITH PELVIS MINIMUM 4 VIEWS | Long Descr | Radiologic examination, hip, unilateral, with pelvis when performed; minimum of 4 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) | I1B - Standard imaging - musculoskeletal | MUE | 2 |
| RT | Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body) | 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. | LT | Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body) | 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 | 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 | FY | X-ray taken using computed radiography technology/cassette-based imaging | 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. | AQ | Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa) | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | FX | X-ray taken using film | 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. | 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. | CR | Catastrophe/disaster related | ET | Emergency services | GA | Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case | 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 | GY | Item or service statutorily excluded, does not meet the definition of any medicare benefit or, for non-medicare insurers, is not a contract benefit | Q5 | Service furnished under a reciprocal billing 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 | 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 | UJ | Services provided at night | 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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