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Q: I am not a cardiologist, radiologist, or vascular disease specialist. Can I legally bill for ultrasound studies? A: A doctor's specialty doesn't dictate whether or not he/she can bill for ultrasound tests. Certain requirements, which may vary from state-to-state, have to be fulfilled in order to legally bill for ultrasound procedures. Basic requirements are:
Contact individual health insurance providers or an attorney well-versed in health law for a comprehensive list of requirements. Q: Can health insurance providers deny my claim for reimbursement? A: Policies among various carriers may differ greatly so it is always prudent to check with each insurer. Internists should clarify reimbursement policies particularly with HMOs. Q: I have never billed for ultrasound studies and don't know the CPT or ICD9 codes. Can you help? A: CPT and corresponding ICD9 codes are a part of our complete customer package that we provide our clients with to help them with billing. We can create a superbill for your practice to help avoid coding errors. Q: How long do ultrasound studies typically last and how much room is required? A: Each ultrasound test usually lasts between 30 and 75 minutes depending on patient and type of study being performed. Technically difficult studies may take longer. Sonographers will inform your staff about the amount of time required for each study before patients are scheduled. Ultrasound equipment used by our sonographers is compact and does not require extra space. A typical exam room with an examination table is sufficient to complete a study. Rooms without windows or with very limited light are preferred. Q: What do I need to provide to complete the exams? A: Patients. Our sonographers arrive at the site with everything necessary to complete the studies: ultrasound machine, capes, gowns, gel, electrodes, CDs, non-latex exam gloves, and paper products. Q: Do I have immediate access to the interpreting physician? A: Yes. Interpreting physicians can be reached at any time for consultation. Interpreting physicians are notified of STAT cases immediately. Q: What happens after the studies are completed? A: Once a sonographer completes all scheduled cases he/she forwards a CD with images and measurements to the interpreting physician. The specialist then reads the studies and prepares a report. A final report is sent back to the ordering physician usually in about four business days. STAT cases are read as soon as it is possible to get the images to the interpreting physician. |
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