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Assign Diagnostic Radiology Codes - Certified Professional Coder CPC

  1. A physician orders X-rays of the right knee in three views (AP, lateral, and sunrise). Which CPT® code covers a three-view knee X-ray?
    Answer: 73562 CPT® 73562 covers radiologic examination of the knee, 3 views. Code 73560 covers 1-2 views; 73564 covers 4 or more views; 73565 covers bilateral knees, standing. For three views of a single knee (AP, lateral, and sunrise/merchant), 73562 is the correct code. The number of views documented determines which knee X-ray code applies.
  2. A radiologist performs a low-dose CT for lung cancer screening on a 58-year-old asymptomatic patient with a 35-pack-year smoking history who meets USPSTF screening criteria. Which CPT® code is reported?
    Answer: 71271 CPT® 71271 covers computed tomography, thorax, low dose for lung cancer screening, without contrast material(s). This code is distinct from standard diagnostic chest CT codes (71250 for without contrast). The low-dose screening CT is specifically for asymptomatic high-risk patients meeting established screening criteria. Reporting 71250 instead of 71271 for a formal screening encounter is incorrect.
  3. A radiologist performs and interprets a PET scan of the whole body combined with a CT scan for oncologic staging. Which CPT® code covers a combined PET/CT for oncology?
    Answer: 78816 CPT® 78816 covers PET imaging with concurrently acquired CT transmission scan, whole body, for oncologic evaluation. Code 78814 covers PET/CT with concurrent CT, skull base to mid-thigh; 78815 covers skull base to mid-thigh PET without concurrent CT; 78813 covers PET whole body without a concurrent CT transmission scan. For a combined whole-body PET/CT for oncologic staging, 78816 is the correct code.
  4. A radiologist performs and interprets an MRI of the lumbar spine without contrast in a private practice setting. Which CPT® code is reported for the global service?
    Answer: 72148 CPT® 72148 covers MRI of the lumbar spine without contrast material. Code 72149 covers lumbar spine MRI with contrast; 72158 covers lumbar spine MRI with and without contrast; 72141 covers cervical spine MRI without contrast. When the order specifies an unenhanced lumbar spine MRI, 72148 is the correct global code for a private practice setting where both technical and professional components are performed by the same entity.
  5. A physician orders bilateral hip X-rays to evaluate for avascular necrosis. Each hip is imaged in 2 views (AP and frog-leg). Which CPT® code covers a bilateral hip X-ray?
    Answer: 73522 CPT® 73522 covers bilateral hip radiologic examination, 3-4 views. When each hip is imaged in 2 views (AP and frog-leg), the total view count for the bilateral study is 4 views, placing it in the 3-4 view bilateral category. Code 73521 covers bilateral hips, 2 views total; 73523 covers bilateral hips, minimum 5 views; 73502 covers a unilateral hip, 2-3 views — not applicable when both hips are imaged bilaterally.
  6. A radiologist interprets a renal (kidney) ultrasound that includes evaluation of both kidneys and the bladder. The documentation confirms a complete study. Which CPT® code covers a complete renal ultrasound?
    Answer: 76770 CPT® 76770 covers ultrasound of the retroperitoneum, real time with image documentation, complete — which includes evaluation of both kidneys, bladder, aorta, and IVC. Code 76775 covers a limited retroperitoneal ultrasound; 76700 covers complete abdominal ultrasound; 76705 covers limited abdominal ultrasound. A complete renal/retroperitoneal study requires documentation of all required elements and is reported with 76770.
  7. A radiologist interprets a CT scan of the chest without contrast for evaluation of pulmonary nodules. Which CPT® code covers a CT of the chest without contrast?
    Answer: 71250 CPT® 71250 covers CT of the thorax without contrast material. Code 71260 covers CT of the thorax with contrast; 71270 covers CT of the thorax with and without contrast; 71271 covers low-dose CT for lung cancer screening without contrast. For a standard diagnostic CT chest without contrast for pulmonary nodule evaluation, 71250 is the correct code.
  8. A radiologist interprets a bilateral screening mammogram using digital technology (2D) for an asymptomatic 52-year-old woman. Which CPT® code covers a digital bilateral screening mammogram?
    Answer: 77067 CPT® 77067 covers screening mammography, bilateral, including computer-aided detection (CAD) when performed. Code 77066 covers diagnostic bilateral mammography; 77065 covers diagnostic unilateral mammography; 77063 covers screening breast tomosynthesis (3D), bilateral. For a standard digital screening mammogram (asymptomatic patient), 77067 is the correct code regardless of whether CAD is used.
  9. A patient undergoes a CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis, both with contrast, performed as a combined study. Which CPT® code is reported for the combined abdominal and pelvic CT with contrast?
    Answer: 74177 CPT® 74177 covers CT of the abdomen and pelvis, combined study, with contrast material — the appropriate code when both regions are imaged with contrast only (no unenhanced sequences). Code 74178 covers the combined abdomen and pelvis study performed with AND without contrast (both pre- and post-contrast sequences). Code 74150 covers CT abdomen without contrast; 74170 covers CT abdomen with and without contrast. The presence or absence of pre-contrast sequences determines whether 74177 or 74178 is reported.
  10. A radiologist interprets an AP and lateral X-ray of the lumbar spine. Which CPT® code covers a two-view lumbar spine X-ray?
    Answer: 72100 CPT® 72100 covers radiologic examination of the lumbar spine, 2 or 3 views. An AP and lateral study is 2 views, which falls within the 72100 range. Code 72110 covers minimum 4 views; 72114 covers a complete lumbar spine study including bending views (minimum 6 views); 72120 covers bending views only. For a standard AP and lateral lumbar spine X-ray, 72100 is the correct code.
  11. A radiologist performs a bone density study (DEXA scan) of the axial skeleton — both the spine and hip — in a single session. Which CPT® code covers a DEXA scan of the axial skeleton?
    Answer: 77080 CPT® 77080 covers dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) of the axial skeleton (e.g., hips, pelvis, spine). Code 77081 covers DEXA of the appendicular skeleton (wrist, heel, finger); 77082 covers DEXA for vertebral fracture assessment; 77083 was a deleted code. When the spine and hip are measured — axial sites — 77080 is the correct code. Axial versus appendicular site determination drives DEXA code selection.
  12. A CT scan of the brain is ordered with contrast material only. Which CPT® code is reported?
    Answer: 70460 CPT® 70460 covers CT of the head or brain with contrast material. Code 70450 is without contrast; 70470 is with and without contrast. When the order and imaging protocol specify contrast only, 70460 is the correct code. Reporting 70470 (with and without) when only the post-contrast series was performed constitutes overcoding.
  13. A radiologist interprets a nuclear medicine bone scan of the whole body for evaluation of metastatic disease. Which CPT® code covers a whole-body bone scan?
    Answer: 78306 CPT® 78306 covers bone imaging, whole body. Code 78300 covers bone imaging of a limited area; 78305 covers multiple areas (not whole body); 78315 covers a three-phase bone scan, which is a distinctly different study involving early vascular, blood pool, and delayed phases. For a whole-body bone scan to evaluate for metastatic disease, 78306 is the correct code.
  14. A CT scan of the abdomen only is ordered without contrast. Which CPT® code covers a CT of the abdomen without contrast?
    Answer: 74150 CPT® 74150 covers CT of the abdomen without contrast material. Code 74160 covers CT abdomen with contrast; 74170 covers CT abdomen with and without contrast; 74178 covers combined CT abdomen and pelvis with contrast. When the study is of the abdomen only (not combined with pelvis) and no contrast is used, 74150 is the correct code.
  15. A physician interprets an X-ray of the left wrist in two views in a private office. Which CPT® code covers a two-view wrist X-ray?
    Answer: 73100 CPT® 73100 covers radiologic examination of the wrist, 2 views. Code 73110 covers wrist, minimum 3 views; 73120 covers hand, 2 views; 73130 covers hand, minimum 3 views. For a 2-view wrist X-ray, 73100 is the correct code. The wrist and hand have separate code series — coders must distinguish between wrist and hand procedures when selecting the appropriate radiologic examination code.
  16. A radiologist interprets an MRI of the lumbar spine without contrast for a patient with back pain. Which CPT® code is reported?
    Answer: 72148 CPT® 72148 covers MRI of the lumbar spine without contrast material. Code 72141 covers cervical spine MRI without contrast; 72149 covers lumbar spine MRI with contrast; 72156 covers cervical spine MRI with and without contrast. The lumbar spine without contrast is specifically coded 72148. Selecting the cervical spine code (72141) when the lumbar spine was imaged would represent miscoding by anatomical site.
  17. A radiologist interprets an MRI of the brain without contrast for evaluation of headaches in a private practice setting where the radiologist performs both the technical and professional components. Which CPT® code is reported?
    Answer: 70551 CPT® 70551 covers MRI of the brain without contrast material. Code 70552 covers brain MRI with contrast; 70553 covers brain MRI with and without contrast; 70554 covers MRI with functional imaging. When a brain MRI is performed without contrast and the radiologist provides both technical and professional components in a private practice setting, 70551 is reported for the global service.
  18. A radiologist interprets a two-view chest X-ray (PA and lateral) for a patient presenting with cough and fever. Which CPT® code covers a two-view chest X-ray?
    Answer: 71046 CPT® 71046 covers radiologic examination of the chest, 2 views. Code 71045 covers a single view; 71047 covers 3 views; 71048 covers 4 or more views. The number of views documented in the radiology report drives the code selection. A standard PA and lateral chest X-ray equals two views and is correctly reported with 71046.
  19. A radiologist interprets a complete abdominal ultrasound documenting evaluation of the liver, gallbladder, common bile duct, pancreas, spleen, kidneys, aorta, and inferior vena cava. Which CPT® code covers a complete abdominal ultrasound?
    Answer: 76700 CPT® 76700 covers ultrasound of the abdomen, real time with image documentation, complete — requiring evaluation of the liver, gallbladder, common bile duct, pancreas, spleen, kidneys, upper abdominal aorta, and IVC. Code 76705 covers a limited abdominal ultrasound (one organ or follow-up); 76770 covers a complete retroperitoneal ultrasound; 76775 covers a limited retroperitoneal study. All required elements must be documented to report 76700.
  20. A radiologist interprets an MRI of the brain with and without contrast. Which CPT® code covers the brain MRI with and without contrast material?
    Answer: 70553 CPT® 70553 covers MRI of the brain with and without contrast material. Code 70551 is without contrast; 70552 is with contrast only; 70554 covers MRI of brain with functional imaging. When both pre-contrast and post-contrast sequences are obtained, 70553 (with and without) is the appropriate code — not two separate codes (which would constitute unbundling when a combination code exists).

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