What You Should Know About The New FY Modifier For X-Rays For 2018

Do you know if your digital X-ray uses computed radiography or digital radiography panels? If you don’t, it is time to find out. Beginning January 1, 2018, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) require a new FY modifier for the technical component of computed radiography services.

The CMS started to require the use of the FX modifier to indicate the use of plain film X-ray in 2017.¹ Now CMS is requiring appending the FY modifier to claims for the technical component of digital X-ray that employs a computed radiography-specific cassette (utilizing an imaging plate to create the image) in place of a traditional film cassette.² This FY modifier will result in a 7 percent reduction to the technical component (and the technical component of the global fee). This reduction is expected to last until 2023, when the reduction is slated to increase to 10 percent. 

In 2017, just using digital X-ray was enough to avoid any kind of reduction in payment for the technical component of X-ray. Now the type of digital X-ray (computed radiography or digital radiography) also matters.

Dr. Lehrman is on the APMA Coding Committee, serves as an expert panelist on Codingline, and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Podiatric Practice Management (AAPPM). Follow him on Twitter @DrLehrman

References

1. Lehrman JD. New modifier FX for use of film X-rays. Podiatry Today DPM Blog. Available at https://www.podiatrytoday.com/blogged/new-modifier-fx-use-film-x-rays . Published March 31, 2017.

2. MLN Matters Number MM10188. Available at  https://www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Education/Medicare-Learning-Network-MLN/MLNMattersArticles/Downloads/MM10188.pdf .

3. Block Imaging Team. Your Guide to Medical Imaging Equipment. Available at https://info.blockimaging.com/digital-x-ray-cr-vs.-dr .