Can you bill for Radiologist consulting another Radiologist?

First time here...thanks in advance for any/all advice!!!

From what I understand, a physician can consult another physician (even in the same specialty) and the consulting physician can bill for that service, provided they provide an opinion in a report and there is no transfer of care. Two questions:

1) I believe that the billing structure for radiology services is different than for clinicians. Can a radiologist consult another radiologist, and the consultant bill for that on top of the the primary radiologist? (if so, are practices doing this?)

2) Assuming you can get consultation reimbursement within radiology, how would this work if you consulted a radiologist at another hospital who is an expert in the field? (i.e. but not privileged at your hospital)...would that be a problem?

Thanks!

Curious Radiologist

re: Can you bill for Radiologist consulting another Radiologist?

Your first requirement is "medical necessity".
The second observation is Consultations" (99241-99255) are ordered by the physician managing the patient's care (Not paid by Medicare).
There is a consultation code in radiology eg, 76140.
The radiologist may be asked to perform a consultation to assess the patient for radiation therapy.
Consultation codes require a face-face encounter (99241-99255).
Example:
If a radiologist sees a patient at the request of the patient’s physician, for the purpose of providing a consultation to that physician concerning the patient’s suitability to undergo a therapeutic interventional procedure, an E&M service described by CPT® code 99241 (as an example) should document the following: (1) the physician referral for the consultation, the reason for the request, (2) a problem-focused history, (3) a problem-focused examination, and (3) straightforward medical decision making.

re: Can you bill for Radiologist consulting another Radiologist?

[Your first requirement is "medical necessity".
The second observation is Consultations" (99241-99255) are ordered by the physician managing the patient's care (Not paid by Medicare).
There is a consultation code in radiology eg, 76140.
The radiologist may be asked to perform a consultation to assess the patient for radiation therapy.]

First of all, thanks so much for your reply!

Therefore are there any situations where a diagnostic (non-interventional) radiologist would be considered to be "managing the patient's care" since we are a consultative service performing diagnostic procedures. Other than a radiation oncologist consulting a diagnostic radiologist for treatment planning, can you think of any other common situations where it is legitimate for a diagnostic radiologist to consult another diagnostic radiologist?

With the revolution in medical imaging, it seems to me that the general diagnostic radiologist (non-procedural) is often the equivalent of a primary care provider in terms of gathering history and consulting other more specialized radiologists. But I am not sure if the coding and billing rules acknowledge this.

re: Can you bill for Radiologist consulting another Radiologist?

I do not see where the diagnostic radiologist would be "managing patient care". Your services are based on an order by the requesting physician. We are evolving every day but for your scenarios coding rules will probably differ.

re: Can you bill for Radiologist consulting another Radiologist?

I'm trying to figure out creative ways to "capture" this consultation event and haven't been able to. Anyone else have any helpful insights?

re: Can you bill for Radiologist consulting another Radiologist?

A physician is not paid to consult with another physician.

With coding: my advice is don't be creative.

re: Can you bill for Radiologist consulting another Radiologist?

What about Radiology Consultation of Outside Images or Second Opinion. That really makes sense to me to bill for a Radiology Consultation with documentation of E/M.