CPT Code for MRI With Essential Tips

CPT Code for MRI

CPT code for MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) guidance falls in the radiology coding category series ranging between 70010-79999

American Medical Association introduces the MRI CPT codes for diagnostic and evaluation purposes. Documenting MRI scans while performing them is vital to provide information about the necessity and reason for MRI scans. Accurate coding helps differentiate MRI scans from other diagnostic and evaluation procedures and radiology services to ensure the coverage of claims is according to MRI scans.

Following are some examples where MRI is preferred as a diagnostic and evaluation procedure:

• Joint injury or infection
• Soft tissues injury infection
• Brain tumors or metastasis
• Arthrogram
• Cervical non-trauma
• Lumbar non-trauma
• Thorax non-trauma
• Multiple sclerosis
• Parkinson Disease
• Female Pelvis

CPT Code for Magnetic Resonance Imaging

CPT Codes for MRI:

Following are the CPT codes for different parts and viscera of the body:

CPT Code 70551: This code is used for billing the claims of magnetic resonance imaging of the brain (also brainstem) and pituitary gland without contrast material.

CPT Code 70553: This CPT code is used to report The Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain (also brainstem) and the pituitary gland initially without contrast and then with contrast material in additional scans.

• This code is only used if the MRI is performed without contrast, followed by contrast material.
• If the MRI is performed without contrast only, code 70551 is used instead.

CPT code 70543: This code is used for billing the orbit, face, or neck (soft tissue) MRI without contrast, followed by contrast materials in other sessions.

CPT code 70540: Used for billing soft tissue neck MRI without contrast.

CPT code 70336: reports an MRI of the temporomandibular joint without contrast.

CPT code 72156: Reports an MRI of the cervical spine and contents first without contrast and again after using contrast material.

CPT code 72146: Reports an MRI of the thoracic Spine and its contents without contrast. The MRI is usually suggested in case of suspected disc herniation, a compression fracture, and degenerative disc disease.

CPT code 72157: This code Reports an MRI of the thoracic spine and contents first without contrast and then again after injecting contrast. Physicians order an MRI of the thoracic spine first without and then with contrast to determine any infection, tumor, or demyelination.

CPT code 72148: Reports an MRI of the lumbar spine and its contents without contrast.

CPT code 72158: Reports an MRI of the lumbar spine and its contents first without contrast and then again after injecting contrast.

Additional note: If two MRIs of the lumbar spine are performed on the same day, one with contrast and the other without contrast, they should not be coded separately. Instead, both reports will be combined and coded under 72158.

Additional note: If an MRI of the lumbar spine is performed after an arthrogram or myelogram, it will always be coded under 72149 (MRI of the lumbar spine with contrast).

CPT code 72195: Reports an MRI of the pelvis without contrast materials. It also includes imaging of the sacrum, coccyx, and sacroiliac joints. If the physician prescribes an MRI of the fetal brain, code 72195 will be reported as, in this case, the fetus is a content of the pelvis.

CPT code 72197: This code reports an MRI of the pelvis (including the sacrum, coccyx, and sacroiliac joint) first without contrast material and then with contrast.

Additional note: If the doctor prescribes an MRI of unilateral or bilateral hip joints, the code to report an MRI of the lower extremity will be used instead of using the code for an MRI of the pelvis.

CPT code 73221: this code reports an MRI of the shoulder, elbow, wrist, and clavicle (joints in upper extremity) without contrast.

CPT code 73223: this code reports an MRI of the upper extremity joints (shoulder, elbow, wrist, and clavicle) first without contrast and then with contrast.

Additional information: For an MRI of the upper extremity that excludes joints, the codes 73218, 73219, and 73220 are used for an MRI without contrast, with contrast, and without contrast that is followed by contrast, respectively.

CPT code 73721: This code reports an MRI of any lower extremity joint, including the hip, knee, and ankle, without contrast.

CPT code 73723 Reports an MRI of the hip, knee, and ankle first without contrast and then with contrast.

Additional information: While reporting a bilateral MRI, the CPT codes 73721 and 73723 are used twice on the claim and appended by modifiers LT and RT to indicate left and right extremities, respectively. Modifier 59 can also be appended to indicate that the procedure is performed on two different joints if the physician prescribes an MRI of the knee and ankle of the same leg.

CPT code 73718: Reports an MRI of the lower extremity (excluding the joints) without contrast.

CPT code 73720: Reports an MRI of the lower extremity (excluding the joints) first without contrast and then with contrast.

Additional formation: Modifiers LT or RT are appended to codes 73718 and 73720 to indicate left and right extremities, respectively, for bilateral procedures.

CPT code 73218: Reports an MRI of the upper extremity without contrast.

CPT code 73220: Reports an MRI of the upper extremity first without contrast and then with contrast.

Additional information: Modifiers LT and RT are used with CPT codes 73218 and 73220 to indicate the left and right upper extremities, respectively. Modifier 50 is used if the MRI procedure is performed bilaterally. If the procedure is performed on the same side but on different joints, modifier XS will be used with the CPT code. For example, for an MRI of the shoulder and elbow of the same side extremity, codes 73218 and 73218-XS will be reported.

CPT code 74183: Reports an MRI of the kidneys, liver, and pancreas first without contrast and after injecting contrast.

CPT code 77059: Reports an MRI of bilateral breasts first without contrast and then after injecting contrast.

Essential Tips for MRI coding:

• Modifier 26 (professional component) will be appended to MRI Codes if MRI is performed on only the physician’s prescription (with interpretation and report).
• Modified TC (Technical component) is appended if interpretation and report are not part of the service.
• No technical or professional component modifiers can be appended to radiology or MRI codes if it is billed as a global service.

See Also

CPT Codes for CT Abdomen and Pelvis with Contrast

90837 CPT Code

CPT 87635 Code Description

CPT Code 99214

ICD-10 Dysphagia

Breast Cancer ICD-10

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