Coding and reimbursement issues for the radiologist

Radiologists are dependent on the proper execution of a complex administrat ive chain of disease and diagnosis coding and procedural coding to be prope rly reimbursed for the examinations they perform. The radiologist bears the ultimate responsibility for the appropriateness of these codes. However, m any practicing radiologists are unaware of the critical link between the tw o coding systems and the systems that have developed to provide a common me thod of describing diseases, diagnoses, and procedures. This article is an introduction to these systems, and it emphasizes the importance of the invo lvement of the radiologist in coding. The inherent complexity of the reimbu rsement system in use is emphasized, as well as the essential role of the r adiologist in complying with these often complicated and ever-changing dire ctives.