What is a modified barium swallow?
A VFSE (modified barium swallow) exam looks at how you swallow different liquids and foods. It uses a special real-time form of x-ray called fluoroscopy. The doctor watches as the patient swallows items with different thicknesses and textures. These items may range from thin barium to barium-coated cookies.
How do you bill for a modified barium swallow study?
CPT codes 70370, 70371 and 74230 describe the complete barium swallow study and should only be billed one time per patient on the same date of service. Only one of these CPT codes should be billed per patient on the same date of service.
What do they look for in a barium swallow?
A barium swallow test may be done to look for and diagnose problems in the pharynx and esophagus. You may need a barium swallow test if your healthcare provider thinks that you have: Cancer of the head and neck, pharynx, or esophagus. Hiatal hernia.
What is a modified barium swallow study and why do we use it?
A Modified Barium Swallow Study (MBSS) is a special x-ray that allows the Radiologist (who specializes in using x-rays) and Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) to identify why you are having trouble swallowing.
What is the difference between barium swallow and modified barium swallow?
MBS is an analysis of swallowing through three phases: oral (mouth), pharyngeal (throat) and upper esophagus. A Barium Swallow, on the other hand, focuses on the propulsion of liquid through the esophagus and into the stomach.
What is the difference between an upper GI and a barium swallow?
An upper GI series is an examination of the esophagus and stomach using barium to coat the walls of the upper digestive tract so that it may be examined under X-ray. An upper GI that focuses on the esophagus is also known as a barium swallow.
What is a go modifier used for?
Modifiers GN, GO, and GP refer only to services provided under plans of care for physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech-language pathology services. They should never be used with codes that are not on the list of applicable therapy services.
What is the CPT code for a modified barium swallow?
Esophagram has two CPT codes 74220 and 74230, normal Barium swallow and Modified Barium swallow. Both are done to find any abnormalities like hiatal hernia or gastroesophageal reflux (K21.
What does it mean if you fail a swallow test?
Test failure is defined as the inability to drink the entire amount continuously, any cough up to 1 min after the swallowing attempt, or the development of a wet, gurgly, or hoarse vocal quality.
Will a barium swallow show hiatal hernia?
A barium swallow is used to help diagnose conditions that affect the throat, esophagus, stomach, and first part the small intestine. These include: Ulcers. Hiatal hernia, a condition in which part of your stomach pushes into the diaphragm.
What does it mean when you fail a swallow test?
How much radiation is in a barium swallow test?
“For adults, radiation exposure from modified barium swallow studies was very, very low,” said Bonilha. “On average, it was 0.2 millisieverts, which, for perspective, is a lesser amount of radiation than is emitted from a person’s body in a year and similar to that associated with living on earth for 32 days.