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A diagnostic radiographic examination, identified by CPT® Code 72083, involves a comprehensive imaging study of the entire thoracic and lumbar spine, which may also include the skull, cervical, and sacral spine if performed. This procedure is primarily utilized for scoliosis evaluation, allowing healthcare professionals to assess various aspects of scoliosis, including its type, location, and the degree of curvature present in the spine. The examination employs X-ray technology, which utilizes indirect ionizing radiation to create images of internal body structures. X-rays are particularly effective in imaging non-uniform materials, such as human tissue, due to the varying densities and compositions of these materials. This differential absorption of X-rays results in some rays being captured on a detector, producing a two-dimensional (2D) representation of the anatomical structures. CPT® Code 72083 specifically indicates that 4 or 5 views of the thoracic and lumbar spine are taken, which is essential for a thorough evaluation of scoliosis. In comparison, related codes such as 72081 represent a single view, 72082 covers 2 or 3 views, and 72084 denotes a spinal evaluation with a minimum of 6 views. The standard views captured during this examination typically include posteroanterior, frontal, and lateral perspectives, often taken while the patient is in an erect, standing, or upright position. This positioning is crucial for accurately assessing lateral curvature. During the procedure, the patient is positioned in front of a vertical grid with their knees together and fully extended, ensuring that the entire thoracic and lumbar spine, along with the cervical and sacral regions and the skull, is included in the imaging field. The examination may also involve lateral projections, where the patient’s arms are extended straight out in front to enhance the visibility of the curvature. Additional views may be captured while the patient is lying supine, further aiding in the comprehensive assessment of the spinal condition.
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The radiologic examination coded as CPT® 72083 is indicated for the evaluation of scoliosis and related spinal conditions. The following are specific indications for performing this procedure:
The procedure for CPT® Code 72083 involves several key steps to ensure a comprehensive evaluation of the thoracic and lumbar spine. The following procedural steps are typically followed:
After the completion of the radiologic examination, the patient may be advised to resume normal activities unless otherwise directed by the healthcare provider. The images obtained will be reviewed by a radiologist or the referring physician to assess the findings related to scoliosis. Depending on the results, further evaluation 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 additional imaging studies that may be required for comprehensive management of the spinal condition.
| Short Descr | X-RAY EXAM ENTIRE SPI 4/5 VW | Medium Descr | RADEX ENTIR THRC LMBR CRV SAC SPI W/SKULL 4/5 VW | Long Descr | Radiologic examination, spine, entire thoracic and lumbar, including skull, cervical and sacral spine if performed (eg, scoliosis evaluation); 4 or 5 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 | Procedure or Service, Not Discounted when Multiple | ASC Payment Indicator | Radiology service paid separately when provided integral to a surgical procedure on ASC list; payment based on OPPS relative payment weight. | Type of Service (TOS) | 4 - Diagnostic Radiology | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | I1B - Standard imaging - musculoskeletal | MUE | 1 |
| 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. | 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 | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | 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 | 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 | 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 | GA | Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case | FY | X-ray taken using computed radiography technology/cassette-based imaging | 25 | Significant, separately identifiable evaluation and management service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional on the same day of the procedure or other service: it may be necessary to indicate that on the day a procedure or service identified by a cpt code was performed, the patient's condition required a significant, separately identifiable e/m service above and beyond the other service provided or beyond the usual preoperative and postoperative care associated with the procedure that was performed. a significant, separately identifiable e/m service is defined or substantiated by documentation that satisfies the relevant criteria for the respective e/m service to be reported (see evaluation and management services guidelines for instructions on determining level of e/m service). the e/m service may be prompted by the symptom or condition for which the procedure and/or service was provided. as such, different diagnoses are not required for reporting of the e/m services on the same date. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 25 to the appropriate level of e/m service. note: this modifier is not used to report an e/m service that resulted in a decision to perform surgery. see modifier 57 for significant, separately identifiable non-e/m services, see modifier 59. | 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) | GP | Services delivered under an outpatient physical therapy plan of care | 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 | GX | Notice of liability issued, voluntary under payer policy | KX | Requirements specified in the medical policy have been met | LT | Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body) | 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) | 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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