The decision whether to make an MRI with contrast depends on the type of the problem and also depends on the history of the given patient. MRI without contrast is the usual MRI procedure which is done without the use of the contrast agent. The results of the MRI procedure are as valuable and relevant as those done with the use of a contrast agent.
Codes 77046 and 77047 are reported for breast MRI without contrast. Codes 77048 and 77049, MRI with computer-aided detection (CAD), can help radiologists identify abnormalities on breast MRI. CAD MRI is used only with contrast-enhanced MRI and would not be performed without contrast.
Understanding Your MRI of the Lumbar Spine
Under the current system, the billing department would use CPT code 70551 for an MRI of the brain without contrast. The matching ICD-10-PCS code is B030ZZZ, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of Brain.
MRI CPT CODE LISTBrain and NeckJointsMRI Thoracic Spine w/o Contrast72146PelvisMRI Thoracic Spine w/wo Contrast72157MRI Bony or ST Pelvis w/o ContrastMRI Lumbar Spine w/o Contrast72148MRI Bony or ST Pelvis w/wo ContrastMRI Lumbar Spine w/wo Contrast72158MRI Sacrum/Coccyx w/o contrast16 more rows
ICD-9 Code Transition: 786.5 Code R07. 9 is the diagnosis code used for Chest Pain, Unspecified. Chest pain may be a symptom of a number of serious disorders and is, in general, considered a medical emergency.
CPT® Code 72158 in section: Magnetic resonance (eg, proton) imaging, spinal canal and contents, without contrast material, followed by contrast material(s) and further sequences.
CPT® Code 73721 in section: Magnetic resonance (eg, proton) imaging, any joint of lower extremity.
CPT code 74185 applies only for Part B claims....Group 1.CodeDescription70545MAGNETIC RESONANCE ANGIOGRAPHY, HEAD; WITH CONTRAST MATERIAL(S)21 more rows
manifestation codes[ ] Brackets are used in the Tabular List to enclose synonyms, alternative wording, or explanatory wording. Brackets are used in the alphabetic Index to identify manifestation codes.
What is the sequencing order when coding a sequela (late effect)? The residual condition is coded first, and the code(s) for the cause of the late effect are coded as secondary.
74177. COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY, ABDOMEN AND PELVIS; WITH CONTRAST MATERIAL(S) 74178. COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY, ABDOMEN AND PELVIS; WITHOUT CONTRAST MATERIAL IN ONE OR BOTH BODY REGIONS, FOLLOWED BY CONTRAST MATERIAL(S) AND FURTHER SECTIONS IN ONE OR BOTH BODY REGIONS.
CPT® Code 70540 in section: Magnetic resonance (eg, proton) imaging, orbit, face, and/or neck.
CPT® 70450 in section: Computed tomography, head or brain.
The following crosswalk between ICD-10-PCS to ICD-9-PCS is based based on the General Equivalence Mappings (GEMS) information:
The ICD-10 Procedure Coding System (ICD-10-PCS) is a catalog of procedural codes used by medical professionals for hospital inpatient healthcare settings. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) maintain the catalog in the U.S. releasing yearly updates.