Imaging CPT codes

MRI of the lumbar spinal canal and its contents performed first without contrast, then repeated after contrast administration for enhanced visualization.

Radiologic supervision and interpretation for selective angiography of the spinal arteries, including image documentation and formal written report.

MRI of the thoracic spine performed with contrast (gadolinium) to evaluate the spinal canal and its contents.

MRI of an upper extremity joint performed with contrast material — covers shoulder, elbow, wrist, or hand joints.

MRI of the thoracic spinal canal and its contents performed without contrast material.

Non-contrast MRI of the lumbar spine used to evaluate disc pathology, spinal stenosis, nerve root compression, and other structural abnormalities without administration of contrast material.

MRI of the cervical spinal canal and its contents performed without contrast material.

MRI of the pelvis performed without contrast material, producing soft-tissue images of pelvic structures without intravenous dye administration.

MRI of the lower extremity (excluding joint) performed without contrast material

MRI of any upper extremity joint — shoulder, elbow, or wrist — performed without contrast material.

MRI of a lower extremity joint (hip, knee, or ankle) performed without contrast material.

Radiological supervision and interpretation for percutaneous drainage of an abscess or fluid collection using fluoroscopy, ultrasound, or CT guidance, with catheter placement.

CT scan of the lower extremity performed without contrast material, producing cross-sectional images of bones, soft tissue, and other structures without injected dye.

CT scan of the upper extremity (arm, forearm, wrist, elbow, or shoulder) performed without contrast material.

Limited-area bone scintigraphy using an injected radionuclide to image a single bone or joint region for diagnosis of fractures, infection, or osseous disease.

Radiologic examination of the knee joint using arthrography — contrast injection and radiological supervision and interpretation only.

Ankle arthrography, radiological supervision and interpretation — contrast injected into the ankle joint with fluoroscopic imaging captured and interpreted by the radiologist or ordering provider.

Radiologic examination of the hip joint using contrast material, including radiological supervision and interpretation

Fluoroscopic shoulder arthrography with radiological supervision and interpretation — full radiographic/fluoroscopic imaging of the shoulder joint using contrast material.

Stress radiography of a joint performed with manual force applied by a physician or qualified healthcare professional, contralateral joint imaging included when clinically indicated.

Radiologic examination of the entire thoracic and lumbar spine using four or five views, with optional inclusion of skull, cervical, and sacral spine regions — typically ordered for scoliosis evaluation or global spinal alignment assessment.

Single-view radiographic survey covering two or more joints in the same study — billed once regardless of how many joints are imaged.

Fluoroscopic imaging lasting under one hour, performed and supervised by a physician or other qualified health professional during a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure.

Radiologic examination of both hips, including the pelvis when performed, requiring a minimum of five views captured from multiple projections.

Radiologic examination of the entire thoracic and lumbar spine, capturing 2 or 3 views; skull, cervical, and sacral spine included when performed.

Radiologic examination of the cervical spine using six or more distinct views, the highest-level plain-film cervical series in the CPT spine imaging family.

Radiologic examination of the lumbosacral spine, complete series with bending (flexion/extension) views — minimum of 6 views total.

Bilateral hip X-ray examination capturing 3 to 4 views, including the pelvis when clinically indicated.

Radiologic examination of a single hip, including the pelvis when performed, capturing a minimum of four views from different angles.

Radiologic examination of the cervical spine capturing a minimum of four views, used to evaluate alignment, fractures, degeneration, or other structural pathology of the neck.

Radiologic examination of the lumbar spine (lumbosacral) with a minimum of four views, including oblique and/or bending views.

Radiographic bone length study measuring and comparing lower extremity bone lengths, typically performed to quantify limb length discrepancy.

Single-view radiologic examination of the entire spine, capturing thoracic and lumbar regions and optionally including cervical, skull, and sacral segments — typically ordered for scoliosis evaluation or global spinal alignment assessment.

Radiologic examination of the pelvis requiring a minimum of three separate views, capturing the pelvic bones, hip joints, and surrounding structures.

Bilateral hip X-ray examination capturing two radiographic views of both hips, including the pelvis when performed.

Radiologic exam of a single hip, capturing two or three views, including the pelvis when performed.

Radiologic examination of the lumbosacral spine capturing two or three views, used to evaluate the lumbar vertebrae and sacrum for injury, degeneration, or structural abnormality.

Radiologic examination of the knee consisting of four or more views, including oblique and tunnel projections, for a complete diagnostic workup.

Radiologic examination of the cervical spine capturing two or three views (e.g., AP, lateral, oblique).

Radiologic examination of the lumbosacral spine using bending views only, minimum of four views, to assess spinal flexibility and alignment.

Radiologic examination of the thoracolumbar junction (where the thoracic and lumbar spine meet), requiring a minimum of two views.

Two-view radiologic examination of the thoracic spine, including AP and lateral projections of the 12 thoracic vertebrae.

Three-view radiographic examination of the knee joint, capturing anteroposterior, lateral, and a third angle such as a sunrise or oblique view.

Radiologic examination of the femur capturing a minimum of two views (typically anteroposterior and lateral) to evaluate the thigh bone.

Radiologic examination of the shoulder requiring a minimum of two views, reported as a single unit regardless of how many views are obtained.

Single-view X-ray of one hip, including the pelvis when clinically indicated — the minimum imaging study in the hip radiograph family.

Radiographic examination of both acromioclavicular joints, with or without stress weight-bearing views

Radiologic examination of the eye to detect or rule out a foreign body, typically ordered before MRI or following ocular trauma.

Radiologic examination of the wrist, complete, requiring a minimum of three views

Radiologic examination of the ankle joint requiring a minimum of three views, used to evaluate bone structure, alignment, and soft-tissue abnormalities.

Radiologic examination of the elbow, complete, requiring a minimum of three views.

Radiologic examination of the scapula (shoulder blade), complete — capturing all standard views needed to evaluate fractures, dislocations, bone lesions, or structural abnormalities of the scapula.

Radiologic examination of the foot requiring a minimum of three views, used to evaluate fractures, arthritis, tumors, or structural abnormalities.

Radiologic examination of the pelvis capturing one or two views, used to evaluate pelvic bones, sacrum, and coccyx for fractures, arthritis, or other structural abnormalities.

Radiographic examination of the hand requiring a minimum of three views.

Radiologic examination of the wrist with a minimum of two views.

Radiologic examination of both knees in the standing, weight-bearing anteroposterior position — a single code that covers both sides simultaneously.

Radiologic examination of the humerus (upper arm bone), requiring a minimum of 2 views.

Single-view radiologic examination of the spine at a specified level.

Radiologic examination of the calcaneus (heel bone), requiring a minimum of two views.