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Official Description

Radiologic examination; orbits, complete, minimum of 4 views

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 70200 refers to a complete radiologic examination of the orbits, which are the bony structures that house the eyes and associated ocular appendages. This examination involves a minimum of four views to ensure a comprehensive assessment of the orbital area. The procedure utilizes X-ray imaging, a technique that employs indirect ionizing radiation to create images of internal body structures. X-rays are particularly effective for visualizing non-uniform materials, such as human tissue, due to the varying densities and compositions of the tissues involved. As X-rays pass through the body, some are absorbed while others are transmitted, allowing for the capture of images on a detector positioned behind the area being examined. During the examination, X-rays are taken from multiple angles, including the parieto-orbital oblique view, lateral views, occipitomental projections, and an inclined PA or Caldwell view. These various positions are crucial as they enable clear visualization of the orbital structures without obstruction from the petrous ridges of the skull. The physician may instruct the patient to look in different directions, such as up and down, to enhance the clarity of the images obtained. The primary goal of this procedure is to allow the physician to review the resulting images for any signs of disease or abnormalities within the orbits, ensuring a thorough evaluation of the ocular region.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The radiologic examination of the orbits, as described by CPT® Code 70200, is indicated for various clinical scenarios where assessment of the orbital structures is necessary. The following conditions may warrant this procedure:

  • Trauma to the Orbit: Evaluation of potential fractures or injuries resulting from blunt or penetrating trauma to the eye area.
  • Suspected Tumors: Investigation of abnormal growths or masses within the orbital cavity that may affect vision or ocular function.
  • Inflammatory Conditions: Assessment of conditions such as orbital cellulitis or other inflammatory processes that may cause swelling or pain in the eye region.
  • Vision Changes: Examination in cases of unexplained vision changes or ocular symptoms that may suggest underlying orbital pathology.

2. Procedure

The procedure for performing a complete radiologic examination of the orbits involves several key steps to ensure accurate imaging and assessment. The following procedural steps are typically followed:

  • Patient Positioning: The patient is positioned appropriately to allow for optimal imaging of the orbits. This may involve adjustments to ensure that the orbits are aligned with the X-ray beam.
  • Selection of Views: A minimum of four distinct views are selected to capture comprehensive images of the orbital structures. These views may include parieto-orbital oblique, lateral, occipitomental, and inclined PA or Caldwell projections.
  • Image Acquisition: X-ray images are taken from the selected angles. The technician may instruct the patient to look in various directions, such as up and down, to enhance the visibility of the orbital anatomy.
  • Image Review: After the images are captured, the physician reviews the radiographs for any abnormalities or signs of disease within the orbits. This review is critical for diagnosing conditions affecting the ocular region.

3. Post-Procedure

Following the radiologic examination of the orbits, the patient may be advised on any necessary follow-up actions based on the findings. Typically, there are no specific post-procedure care requirements associated with this imaging study. However, the physician may discuss the results with the patient and recommend further diagnostic tests or treatments if any abnormalities are detected. Patients are generally able to resume normal activities immediately after the procedure, as it is non-invasive and does not require sedation or recovery time.

Short Descr X-RAY EXAM OF EYE SOCKETS
Medium Descr RADEX ORBITS COMPLETE MINIMUM 4 VIEWS
Long Descr Radiologic examination; orbits, complete, minimum of 4 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 2
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.
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).
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
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
53 Discontinued procedure: under certain circumstances, the physician or other qualified health care professional may elect to terminate a surgical or diagnostic procedure. due to extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient, it may be necessary to indicate that a surgical or diagnostic procedure was started but discontinued. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 53 to the code reported by the individual for the discontinued procedure. note: this modifier is not used to report the elective cancellation of a procedure prior to the patient's anesthesia induction and/or surgical preparation in the operating suite. for outpatient hospital/ambulatory surgery center (asc) 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).
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.
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)
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
FY X-ray taken using computed radiography technology/cassette-based imaging
GA Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
GZ Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary
Q1 Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study
Q5 Service furnished under a reciprocal billing 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
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
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
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
XP Separate practitioner, a service that is distinct because it was performed by a different practitioner
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
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2009-01-01 Changed Code description changed
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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