Magnetic resonance angiography of the pelvic vessels, with or without contrast, to evaluate arterial or venous flow in the pelvis.
- Medicare
- $336.01
- Work RVU
- 1.76
- Global, days
- Region
- Hip
Documentation requirements
What must appear in the operative or office note to support the claim.
Source · Editorial brief grounded in 3 cited references ↓
- Vascular question being answered (claudication source, vessel mapping)
- Prior noninvasive vascular testing results (ABI, duplex)
- Report confirming angiographic sequences and vessels evaluated
- Contrast agent and dose if used
- Authorization and coverage check for the indication
Applicable modifiers
Modifiers commonly billed with this code.
Source · AMA CPT modifier descriptors · CMS NCCI Policy Manual
What this code covers
Source · Editorial summary grounded in 3 cited references ↓
72198 is MR angiography of the pelvis. It is a vascular study, and orthopedic practices rarely order it. When they do, it is usually to separate vascular claudication from neurogenic claudication in a patient being considered for lumbar decompression, or to map vessels near a pelvic tumor before resection.
The code covers MRA performed with contrast, without contrast, or both. There is no separate with-and-without version. Lower extremity MRA has its own code, and pelvis plus lower extremity runoff studies need careful coding so the same vessels are not billed twice.
Medicare covers MRA only for indications in its national coverage determination for magnetic resonance angiography, and local contractors may add limits. Check the indication before scheduling. Commercial plans require prior authorization and often want an ankle-brachial index or ultrasound first for claudication. A routine pelvic MRI does not become an MRA because the radiologist commented on the vessels.
RVU & reimbursement
Component RVUs and Medicare national rate. Actual payment varies by GPCI locality.
Source · CMS Physician Fee Schedule, RVU26A · January 2026
Work RVU vs. total RVU
The work RVU (1.76) is the surgeon's own effort — the figure physician pay and productivity targets are built on. The total RVU (10.06) adds practice overhead and malpractice, and is what drives the Medicare payment below.
| Work RVU | 1.76 |
| Practice expense RVU | 8.17 |
| Malpractice RVU | 0.13 |
| Total RVU | 10.06 |
| Medicare national rate | $336.01 |
| Global period | days |
Payment by site of service
Medicare pays different rates by setting. HOPD typically pays substantially more than ASC for the same procedure.
Source · CMS OPPS Addendum B·ASC HCPCS payment rates·2026
| Setting | Medicare rate (national) |
|---|---|
Office (PFS non-facility) Procedure performed in physician's office | $336.01 |
Common denial reasons
The recurring reasons claims for CPT 72198 get rejected.
Source · Editorial brief grounded in CMS NCCI edits, AAOS coding appeals, and cited references ↓
- Indication not covered under Medicare MRA policy
- No prior noninvasive vascular testing
- Billed with lower extremity MRA covering the same vessels
- Pelvic MRI billed as MRA
- Missing authorization
Frequently asked questions
Source · Generated from the editorial pipeline, verified against 3 cited references ↓
01Does 72198 include with and without contrast?
02Does Medicare cover MRA of the pelvis?
03Why would a spine surgeon order pelvic MRA?
Sources & references
Editorial content was developed using the following public sources.
Mira Scribe
Mira Scribe captures the walking tolerance, pulse exam, and symptom pattern that help separate vascular from spinal claudication, which is the reasoning payers look for.
See how Mira captures CPT 72198 documentation