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Official Description

Radiologic examination, facial bones; complete, minimum of 3 views

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 70150 refers to a radiologic examination of the facial bones, which is a diagnostic imaging procedure that involves taking a complete set of X-ray images of the facial structure. This examination requires a minimum of three distinct views to ensure comprehensive coverage of the facial anatomy. The primary facial bones that are evaluated during this procedure include the maxilla (upper jaw), mandible (lower jaw), frontal bone (forehead area), nasal bones (bridge of the nose), and zygoma (cheekbone). The use of X-ray technology involves the application of indirect ionizing radiation, which penetrates the body to create images of internal structures. The varying densities and compositions of human tissues allow some X-rays to be absorbed while others pass through, resulting in a two-dimensional representation of the facial bones on a detector. This imaging technique is crucial for identifying abnormalities such as traumatic injuries, bony projections or growths, infections, and other pathological conditions affecting the facial bones. It is important to note that if fewer than three views are obtained, the appropriate code to report would be CPT® Code 70140, which corresponds to a limited examination of the facial bones.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The radiologic examination of the facial bones using CPT® Code 70150 is indicated for various clinical scenarios where detailed imaging of the facial structure is necessary. The following conditions may warrant this procedure:

  • Traumatic Injuries: Patients who have sustained facial trauma, such as fractures or dislocations, may require this examination to assess the extent of the injury.
  • Bony Projections or Growths: The procedure is useful in identifying abnormal bony growths or projections that may be present in the facial region.
  • Infections: Suspected infections affecting the facial bones or surrounding tissues can be evaluated through this imaging technique.
  • Other Evidence of Disease: The examination can help detect various pathological conditions that may affect the facial bones, including tumors or other diseases.

2. Procedure

The procedure for conducting a complete radiologic examination of the facial bones involves several key steps to ensure accurate imaging. Each step is critical for obtaining high-quality X-ray images that provide a comprehensive view of the facial anatomy.

  • Step 1: The patient is positioned appropriately to allow for optimal imaging of the facial bones. This may involve adjustments to ensure that the facial area is centered and aligned with the X-ray beam.
  • Step 2: The radiologic technologist prepares the X-ray equipment and selects the appropriate settings based on the patient's size and the specific views required for the examination.
  • Step 3: A minimum of three X-ray images are taken from different angles to capture the complete anatomy of the facial bones. These views typically include frontal, lateral, and oblique angles to provide a thorough assessment.
  • Step 4: After the images are captured, the technologist reviews them for clarity and quality, ensuring that all necessary views are obtained for accurate interpretation.
  • Step 5: The images are then processed and made available for the physician to review. The physician examines the radiographs for any abnormalities, such as fractures, infections, or other pathological findings.

3. Post-Procedure

After the radiologic examination of the facial bones is completed, the patient may be advised on any necessary follow-up actions based on the findings. Typically, there are no specific post-procedure care requirements, as the procedure is non-invasive and does not involve any recovery time. However, the physician may discuss the results with the patient and recommend further evaluation or treatment if any abnormalities are detected in the images. It is essential for the patient to follow any additional instructions provided by the healthcare provider regarding further diagnostic tests or referrals to specialists if needed.

Short Descr X-RAY EXAM OF FACIAL BONES
Medium Descr RADEX FACIAL BONES COMPLETE MINIMUM 3 VIEWS
Long Descr Radiologic examination, facial bones; complete, minimum of 3 views
Status Code Active Code
Global Days XXX - Global Concept Does Not Apply
PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) 1 - Diagnostic Tests for Radiology Services
Multiple Procedures (51) 0 - No payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply.
Bilateral Surgery (50) 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does NOT apply.
Physician Supervisions 09 - Concept does not apply.
Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) 0 - Payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure...
Co-Surgeons (62) 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Team Surgery (66) 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Diagnostic Imaging Family 99 - Concept Does Not Apply
APC Status Indicator STV-Packaged Codes
ASC Payment Indicator Packaged service/item; no separate payment made.
Type of Service (TOS) 4 - Diagnostic Radiology
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) I1B - Standard imaging - musculoskeletal
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 226 - Other diagnostic radiology and related techniques
26 Professional component: certain procedures are a combination of a physician or other qualified health care professional component and a technical component. when the physician or other qualified health care professional component is reported separately, the service may be identified by adding modifier 26 to the usual procedure number.
FY X-ray taken using computed radiography technology/cassette-based imaging
X5 Diagnostic services requested by another clinician: for reporting services by a clinician who furnishes care to the patient only as requested by another clinician or subsequent and related services requested by another clinician; this modifier is reported for patient relationships that may not be adequately captured by the above alternative categories; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the radiologist's interpretation of an imaging study requested by another clinician
TC Technical component; under certain circumstances, a charge may be made for the technical component alone; under those circumstances the technical component charge is identified by adding modifier 'tc' to the usual procedure number; technical component charges are institutional charges and not billed separately by physicians; however, portable x-ray suppliers only bill for technical component and should utilize modifier tc; the charge data from portable x-ray suppliers will then be used to build customary and prevailing profiles
59 Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25.
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
52 Reduced services: under certain circumstances a service or procedure is partially reduced or eliminated at the discretion of the physician or other qualified health care professional. under these circumstances the service provided can be identified by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 52, signifying that the service is reduced. this provides a means of reporting reduced services without disturbing the identification of the basic service. note: for hospital outpatient reporting of a previously scheduled procedure/service that is partially reduced or cancelled as a result of extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well-being of the patient prior to or after administration of anesthesia, see modifiers 73 and 74 (see modifiers approved for asc hospital outpatient use).
76 Repeat procedure or service by same physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was repeated by the same physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 76 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
77 Repeat procedure by another physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a basic procedure or service was repeated by another physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 77 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
AR Physician provider services in a physician scarcity area
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
FX X-ray taken using film
GA Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
GV Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
Q1 Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study
Q6 Service furnished under a fee-for-time compensation arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area
QJ Services/items provided to a prisoner or patient in state or local custody, however the state or local government, as applicable, meets the requirements in 42 cfr 411.4 (b)
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
X1 Continuous/broad services: for reporting services by clinicians, who provide the principal care for a patient, with no planned endpoint of the relationship; services in this category represent comprehensive care, dealing with the entire scope of patient problems, either directly or in a care coordination role; reporting clinician service examples include, but are not limited to: primary care, and clinicians providing comprehensive care to patients in addition to specialty care
X4 Episodic/focused services: for reporting services by clinicians who provide focused care on particular types of treatment limited to a defined period and circumstance; the patient has a problem, acute or chronic, that will be treated with surgery, radiation, or some other type of generally time-limited intervention; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the orthopedic surgeon performing a knee replacement and seeing the patient through the postoperative period
XE Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
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2009-01-01 Changed Code description changed
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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