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Official Description

Radiologic examination, ribs, bilateral; including posteroanterior chest, minimum of 4 views

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

Radiologic examination of the ribs, specifically coded as CPT® 71111, involves obtaining X-ray images of the rib cage to assess for potential fractures or internal injuries, particularly following trauma. This procedure is crucial for diagnosing rib-related injuries, as it allows healthcare professionals to visualize the structure of the ribs and surrounding tissues. The examination includes a minimum of four views, ensuring comprehensive imaging of both sides of the chest. Among these views, one must be a posteroanterior (PA) view, where the patient is positioned with their back facing the X-ray machine. The rib radiographs are typically performed in various positions to capture different angles, enhancing the likelihood of identifying any abnormalities. The most common views utilized during this examination are the anteroposterior (AP) and oblique views, which can be further categorized into right anterior oblique, left anterior oblique, right posterior oblique, and left posterior oblique. The oblique views are particularly useful as they provide a clearer image of the ribs by rotating the patient’s body, allowing for better visualization of the rib cage's anatomy. The physician will review the obtained images, identify any irregularities, and document a written interpretation of the findings, which is essential for guiding further clinical management.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

Radiologic examination of the ribs, coded as CPT® 71111, is indicated for the following conditions:

  • Trauma to the rib cage - This procedure is commonly performed after an injury to the chest area to evaluate for fractures or other internal injuries.
  • Suspected rib fractures - When there is a clinical suspicion of rib fractures due to symptoms such as pain, swelling, or difficulty breathing, this examination is warranted.
  • Assessment of rib abnormalities - The procedure may also be indicated for evaluating any abnormalities detected during a physical examination or other imaging studies.

2. Procedure

The procedure for CPT® 71111 involves several key steps to ensure comprehensive imaging of the ribs:

  • Patient positioning - The patient is positioned appropriately to obtain the necessary views. For the posteroanterior (PA) view, the patient stands with their back toward the X-ray machine. For oblique views, the patient is rotated 45 degrees, with the arm closest to the X-ray cassette flexed and resting on the hip, while the opposite arm is raised.
  • Image acquisition - A minimum of four views are obtained, which include the PA view and additional oblique views. The oblique views are taken from both the anterior and posterior angles to provide a thorough assessment of the rib cage.
  • Review of images - After the images are captured, the physician reviews them for any signs of fractures or abnormalities. This review is critical for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.
  • Documentation - The physician provides a written interpretation of the findings based on the reviewed images, which is essential for the medical record and further clinical decision-making.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care for patients undergoing CPT® 71111 is generally minimal, as the procedure is non-invasive and does not typically require recovery time. Patients may resume normal activities immediately following the examination. However, it is important for the physician to discuss the results of the imaging with the patient, including any findings that may require further evaluation or treatment. Additionally, if any abnormalities are detected, appropriate follow-up care or additional imaging may be recommended based on the physician's interpretation of the results.

Short Descr X-RAY EXAM RIBS/CHEST4/> VWS
Medium Descr RADEX RIBS BI W/POSTEROANT CH MINIMUM 4 VIEWS
Long Descr Radiologic examination, ribs, bilateral; including posteroanterior chest, 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) 2 - 150% payment adjustment 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
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
GA Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case
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).
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.
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)
CC Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed)
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
FX X-ray taken using film
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
PC Wrong surgery or other invasive procedure on patient
Q1 Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study
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)
X1 Continuous/broad services: for reporting services by clinicians, who provide the principal care for a patient, with no planned endpoint of the relationship; services in this category represent comprehensive care, dealing with the entire scope of patient problems, either directly or in a care coordination role; reporting clinician service examples include, but are not limited to: primary care, and clinicians providing comprehensive care to patients in addition to specialty care
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
Date
Action
Notes
2013-01-01 Changed Short Descriptor changed.
2009-01-01 Changed Code description changed
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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