How To Use HCPCS Code G9342

HCPCS code G9342 describes the situation where a search was not conducted prior to an imaging study being performed for prior patient CT studies completed at non-affiliated external healthcare facilities or entities within the past 12 months and are available through a secure, authorized, media-free, shared archive, reason not given.

1. What is HCPCS G9342?

HCPCS code G9342 is a specific code used in medical coding to identify the scenario where a search was not conducted prior to an imaging study being performed for prior patient CT studies completed at non-affiliated external healthcare facilities or entities within the past 12 months. This code is used to accurately document and bill for this particular situation.

2. Official Description

The official description of HCPCS code G9342 is “Search not conducted prior to an imaging study being performed for prior patient CT studies completed at non-affiliated external healthcare facilities or entities within the past 12 months and are available through a secure, authorized, media-free, shared archive, reason not given.” The short description for this code is “No search for CT in 12 months nor scan.”

3. Procedure

1. The healthcare provider should review the patient’s medical records and determine if any prior CT studies have been completed at non-affiliated external healthcare facilities or entities within the past 12 months.
2. If such prior CT studies are identified, the provider should check if these studies are available through a secure, authorized, media-free, shared archive.
3. If the studies are available, the provider should ensure that a search was not conducted prior to performing the imaging study.
4. The reason for not conducting the search should be documented in the patient’s medical record.

4. When to use HCPCS code G9342

HCPCS code G9342 should be used when a search was not conducted prior to an imaging study being performed for prior patient CT studies completed at non-affiliated external healthcare facilities or entities within the past 12 months. This code is used to accurately document and bill for this specific scenario.

5. Billing Guidelines and Documentation Requirements

When using HCPCS code G9342, healthcare providers should ensure that the following documentation requirements are met:

• Documentation of the patient’s prior CT studies completed at non-affiliated external healthcare facilities or entities within the past 12 months.
• Documentation that the prior CT studies are available through a secure, authorized, media-free, shared archive.
• Documentation that a search was not conducted prior to performing the imaging study.
• Documentation of the reason for not conducting the search.

6. Historical Information and Code Maintenance

HCPCS code G9342 was added to the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System on January 01, 2014. There have been no maintenance actions taken for this code, as indicated by the action code N, which means no maintenance for this code. The code has an action effective date of January 01, 2015.

7. Medicare and Insurance Coverage

The pricing indicator code for HCPCS code G9342 is 00, which means the service is not separately priced by Part B. This indicates that the service is not covered, bundled, or used by Part A only. The multiple pricing indicator code is 9, which means it is not applicable as HCPCS is not priced separately by Part B or the value is not established.

8. Examples

Here are five examples of when HCPCS code G9342 should be billed:

1. A patient undergoes an imaging study without a prior search being conducted for CT studies completed at non-affiliated external healthcare facilities within the past 12 months.
2. A provider performs an imaging study for a patient who has had prior CT studies completed at non-affiliated external healthcare facilities, but the studies are available through a secure, authorized, media-free, shared archive and no search was conducted.
3. A patient’s medical records indicate that prior CT studies have been completed at non-affiliated external healthcare facilities within the past 12 months, but a search was not conducted prior to the imaging study.
4. A provider performs an imaging study for a patient who has had prior CT studies completed at non-affiliated external healthcare facilities, and although the studies are available through a secure, authorized, media-free, shared archive, no search was conducted.
5. A patient’s medical records show that prior CT studies have been completed at non-affiliated external healthcare facilities within the past 12 months, but the provider did not conduct a search before performing the imaging study.