Medical Auditing Practice Exam

What should be reported in the audit findings when fluoroscopic guidance was incorrectly billed with code 20552-20553?

1. Code 76942 is correct for these cases.

2. The chart should have reflected a different procedure.

3. Code 77002 should be reported for these cases.

4. Billing should be corrected to reflect a non-guided procedure.

The correct answer is: Code 77002 should be reported for these cases.

When fluoroscopic guidance is incorrectly billed with codes 20552-20553, the audit findings should indicate that code 77002 is the appropriate choice for these cases. This is because code 77002 specifically pertains to the use of fluoroscopic guidance for needle placement procedures. Using code 20552-20553, which are typically associated with injection codes for specific regions, suggests a misunderstanding of the services rendered, as these codes do not appropriately reflect the use of fluoroscopic guidance. Therefore, identifying and correcting the billing to code 77002 ensures that the documentation accurately represents the procedure performed and captures the proper usage of fluoroscopy in the context of needle placement. The assertion that billing should reflect a different procedure aligns with accurate coding practices; however, specifically indicating that code 77002 is the correct code for the use of fluoroscopic guidance provides precise clarification on proper coding. This adjustment is necessary not only for compliance but also for optimal reimbursement.