Billing and Coding: IDTFs and Low Dose CT Scan for Lung Cancer Screening for CPT Code 71271

CMS covers low-dose CT (LDCT) of the thorax (CPT 71271) as the lung cancer screening scan and covers a counseling/shared decision-making visit (G0296) to determine eligibility. IDTFs may perform the LDCT when a physician order and all coverage requirements are met, but because 71271 includes a therapeutic component (smoking cessation interventions), the service must be billed by a physician; a business arrangement and compliance with anti-markup rules are required.

"Low-dose CT (LDCT) of the thorax without contrast (CPT 71271) is covered as the CMS-authorized lung cancer screening scan."

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