MRI CPT Codes

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) is used in radiology to find out any abnormalities inside the organ. It is a three dimensional scan using magnetic and radio waves to study any parts of the body including head or brain. MRI can detect few diseases (eg: prostate cancer, uterine cancer) which CT can not detect. A contrast or dye is used in MRI sometimes to improve the diagnostic accuracy.

MRI CPT Codes

MRI CPT Codes can be found in Radiology section of CPT book. All sets of codes are arranged based on the use of contrast material. Knowing anatomy and physiology will help in coding more accurate CPT and related ICD codes while coding for MRI.

Brain and head

CPT Code	Description
70551	Without contrast material
70552	With contrast material
70553	With and without contrast material
70554	Functional MRI of brain not requiring physician or psychologist
70555	Functional MRI of brain requiring physician or psychologist
70557	MRI Brain during open surgery on brain : without contrast material
70558	: with contrast material
70559	: with and without contrast material

 

Upper extremity

CPT Code	Description
73221	Joint : without contrast material
73222	: with contrast material
73223	: with and without contrast material
73218	Non –  joint: without contrast material
73219	: with contrast material
73220	: with and without contrast material

 

Lower extremity

CPT Code	Description
73721	Joint : without contrast material
73722	: with contrast material
73723	: with and without contrast material
73718	Non- joint: without contrast material
73719	: with contrast material
73720	: with and without contrast material

 

Face and Neck

CPT Code	Description
70336	MRI of TMJ joint
70540	MRI Face (orbit), neck : without contrast material
70542	: with contrast material
70543	: with and without contrast material

 

Abdomen

CPT Code	Description
74181	Without contrast material
74182	With contrast material
74183	With and without contrast material

 

Chest and Cardiac

CPT Code	Description
71550	Chest : Without contrast material
71551	With contrast material
71552	With and without contrast material
75565	Cardiac imaging : for velocity flow mapping
75557	: for morphology without contrast material
75559	: for morphology without contrast material, with stress imaging
75561	: for morphology with and without contrast material
75563	: for morphology with and without contrast material, with stress imaging

 

Pelvis

CPT Code	Description
72195	Without contrast material
72196	With contrast material
72197	With and without contrast material

 

Spinal

CPT Code	Description
Cervical
72141	Without contrast material
72142	With contrast material
72156	With and without contrast material
Lumbar
72148	Without contrast material
72149	With contrast material
72158	With and without contrast material
Thoracic
72146	Without contrast material
72147	With contrast material
72157	With and without contrast material

 

Breast

CPT Code	Description
77046	Without contrast material, unilateral
77047	Without contrast material, bilateral
77048	With and without contrast material, unilateral
77049	With and without contrast material, bilateral

 

Blood

CPT Code	Description
77084	MRI of bone marrow blood supply

 

Fetal MRI

CPT Code	Description
74712	Single or first gestation
74713	Each additional gestation

 

Unlisted CPT

CPT Code	Description
76498	Unlisted MRI

 

Guidelines:

• Type of contrast material – When there is oral or rectal contrast used, it should be coded as “without contrast”. Only IV contrast is coded as “with contrast” as radiology services include both oral and rectal contrast.
• CPT codes with and without contrast – Images taken without contrast followed by with contrast.
• Do not use modifier 50 for bilateral services. Report in one line with 2 units or in two lines with modifier RT/LT
• When provider orders for ankle study but radiologist does an expansion study to foot, it should be coded as joint (73721-73723). In the same scenario if there is setup for both study, code both joint and non-joint codes (73718-73720).
• CPT 74713 is to be used for additional fetus as add on code with 74712. Use units with 74713 if the number of fetus is more than 2. Check MUE (medically unlikely edits) when applying units.
• Apply NCD/LCD guidelines when coding ICDs with MRI codes.
• Check applicable modifiers with each CPT.

MRI Coding Tips:

• Check for the anatomical site of MRI before reviewing other details in the report.
• Read carefully to find out if any discrepancies in contrast material
• Do not miss to check the number of fetus when coding CPT 74712.
• Number of units allowed should be checked when coding CPTs with units.
• It is easy to find the correct code if the report is read thoroughly.

MRI CPT Codes Example:

59 year old Elizabeth is referred by Dr.Janet for MRI abdomen.

Type of Exam – MRI Abdomen with intravenous and oral contrast

Clinical History – 36 year old female with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy, here with new onset of abdominal pain suspects cancer.

Technique – 1.5 T MR images of entire abdomen was observed after IV contrast and oral contrast.

Findings – Stomach: – No mass or abnormality found. Bowel:-No wall thickening or dilation. Liver:-Normal size. Gall Bladder: – within normal limits. Pancreas: – No ductal dilation or mass found. Spleen:-No splenomegaly. Bladder: – within normal limits. Kidney: – No mass found.

Impression – No abnormal findings on MRI to account for abdominal pain or probable cancer.

CPT coding for this scenario:

74182 – R10.9

Note: As there is IV contrast used the CPT code can be used “with contrast”.