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The CPT® Code 70210 refers to a radiologic examination of the paranasal sinuses, specifically when fewer than three views are obtained. This procedure involves the use of X-ray technology to capture images of the paranasal sinuses, which are anatomical structures located within the facial bones surrounding the nasal cavity. These sinuses include the frontal sinuses located in the lower forehead, the maxillary sinuses situated in the cheekbones, the ethmoid sinuses found beside the upper nose, and the sphenoid sinuses located behind the nose. The X-ray imaging technique utilizes indirect ionizing radiation to create images of internal body structures. The process relies on the varying densities and compositions of human tissues, allowing some X-rays to be absorbed while others pass through, resulting in a two-dimensional representation of the sinuses. It is important to note that if fewer than three views are taken during this examination, the appropriate code to report is 70210. In contrast, if three or more views are captured, the code 70220 should be used for a more comprehensive evaluation. The physician interprets the resulting images to identify potential issues such as infections, tumor-like lesions, or fibro-osseous lesions. While conventional radiology is utilized for this examination, it is worth mentioning that it does not provide the detailed insights that can be achieved through advanced imaging techniques like CT or MRI, which have largely supplanted traditional X-ray methods for sinus evaluation.
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The radiologic examination of the paranasal sinuses using CPT® Code 70210 is indicated for various clinical scenarios where assessment of the sinuses is necessary. The following conditions may warrant this procedure:
The procedure for conducting a radiologic examination of the paranasal sinuses involves several key steps, which are outlined as follows:
Following the radiologic examination, the patient may be advised on any necessary follow-up actions based on the findings. If abnormalities are detected, the physician may recommend additional imaging studies, such as a CT scan or MRI, for a more detailed assessment. The patient is typically informed about the results of the examination during a follow-up appointment, where treatment options can be discussed if needed. There are generally no specific post-procedure care requirements for this type of examination, and patients can resume their normal activities immediately after the procedure.
| Short Descr | X-RAY EXAM OF SINUSES | Medium Descr | RADEX SINUSES PARANASAL <3 VIEWS | Long Descr | Radiologic examination, sinuses, paranasal, less than 3 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 | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 226 - Other diagnostic radiology and related techniques |
| 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 | FY | X-ray taken using computed radiography technology/cassette-based imaging | FX | X-ray taken using film | 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. | 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 | 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) | CR | Catastrophe/disaster related | 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 | 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) | PN | Non-excepted service provided at an off-campus, outpatient, provider-based department of a hospital | 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 | RT | Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body) | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure |
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| 2013-01-01 | Changed | Medium Descriptor changed. |
| 2009-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed |
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
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