V-codes and CXR for medicare

We are getting claims denied from medicare when a patient comes is for "pre-op" chest-xray. We have used I believe (V72.84 pre-op exam unsp) as well as (eg:715.96 for osteoarthrosis knee) if they are having knee replacement. Any ideas how we would code a pre-op chest xray to get paid from medicare???.... Also getting denied for chest xray for patients getting it done for their physicals. Thanks

re: V-codes and CXR for medicare

There is no medical necessity for a CXR for either surgery or a physical, and certainly absolutely no reason for the physicals, so Medicare won't pay, rightly so.

For pre-op CXR, make the hospital do it- it is part of their cost of doing business. The anesthesia docs insist on it. I do the same with CBC and PT/PTT- no medical reason to get those pre-op so if the hospital requires it, they can eat the cost for it.