MRI CPT codes in Radiology facility

MRI codes are used very frequently in radiology and interventional radiology facility. MRI (Magnetic resonance imaging) is done to find any abnormality related to soft tissues. Most of the report with MRI in radiology is done on Joints and Non-joints. The main reason for doing MRI exam on joints is to find any sprain or tear present in joints. So, we will check out the MRI CPT codes used for coding joints and Non-joints. We will also checkout the diagnosis related to joints, which are diagnosed during MRI exam.

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MRI CPT codes for Joints and Non-joints

For let us find out how to filter joints and Non-joints. Many times coders get confuse with joints and Non-joints since it is never mention in reports. Mostly they only document like MRI foot, MRI ankle, MRI hand etc. In the header of the document. If you know the anatomy and physiology very nicely, you can easily differentiate between joints and non-joints. So let classify joints and non-joints for upper and lower extremity.

Joints(upper & lower extremity)                        Non-Joint (Upper & lower extremity)

Shoulder                                                                                 Humerus
Elbow                                                                                  Radius & ulna
Wrist                                                                                     Hand & finger
Hip                                                                               Sacrum & coccyx& femur
Knee                                                                                      Tibia & fibula
Ankle                                                                                        Foot & toe

Now I hope you people can code for MRI joint and MRI non-joints correctly.
Lets checkout the MRI CPT codes used for coding Joint and Non-joints in radiology facility.
73218 – MRI Non-joint Upper extremity without contrast
73219 – MRI Non-joint Upper extremity with contrast
73220 – MRI Non-joint Upper extremity with &without contrast
73221 – MRI Joint Upper extremity without contrast
73222 – MRI Joint Upper extremity with contrast
73223 – MRI Joint Upper extremity with & without contrast
73718 – MRI Non-Joint Lower extremity without contrast
73719 – MRI Non-Joint Lower extremity with contrast
73720 – MRI Non-Joint Lower extremity with & without contrast
73721 – MRI Joint Lower extremity without contrast
73722 – MRI Joint Lower extremity with contrast
73723 – MRI Joint Lower extremity with & without contrast

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Other List of MRI CPT codes in Radiology

77059 (deleted) – MRI Bilateral Breast w/wo Contrast

70551 – Magnetic resonance (eg, proton) imaging, brain (including brain stem); without contrast material

70553 – Magnetic resonance (eg, proton) imaging, brain (including brain stem);without contrast material, followed by contrast material(s) and further sequences

70540 – Magnetic resonance (eg, proton) imaging, orbit, face, and/or neck; without contrast material(s)

70543 – without contrast material(s), followed by contrast material(s) and further sequences

70336 – Magnetic resonance (eg, proton) imaging, temporomandibular joint(s)

72195– Magnetic resonance (eg, proton) imaging, pelvis; without contrast material(s)

72197 – without contrast material(s), followed by contrast material(s) and further sequences

72141 – Magnetic resonance (eg, proton) imaging, spinal canal and contents, cervical; without contrast material

72146 – Magnetic resonance (eg, proton) imaging, spinal canal and contents, thoracic; without contrast material

72148 – Magnetic resonance (eg, proton) imaging, spinal canal and contents, lumbar; without contrast material

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72156 – Magnetic resonance (eg, proton) imaging, spinal canal and contents, without contrast material, followed by contrast material(s) and further sequences; cervical

72157 – thoracic Spine 

72158 – lumbar Spine

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Do and Don’t with MRI CPT codes

Always code LT & RT modifier with the MRI CPT codes for specifying the side of the extremity for unilateral procedure.
Use 50 modifier if the MRI procedure is done on both sides of the extremity.
Use XS modifier (new modifier introduced in 2015) if the exam is done on same side extremity but with different joint or non-joint to differentiate both the procedure. For example, MRI ankle and MRI knee when done, code 73721 and 73721-XS (structural) to show the structural difference between both the procedures.
Never code a MRI non-joint CPT code for MRI joint procedure. It is considered a big error, since MRI exam are costly procedure coding it incorrectly can deny the claim and hence not paying for the procedure performed.
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