© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) is a specialized imaging technique that utilizes magnetic fields and radiofrequency pulses to create detailed images of blood vessels in the head. This procedure is particularly valuable for assessing both arterial and venous structures, allowing healthcare professionals to diagnose various vascular conditions. The use of contrast materials enhances the visibility of blood vessels, making it easier to identify abnormalities such as atherosclerotic stenosis, which is the narrowing of arteries due to plaque buildup, and arterial dissection, where the layers of an artery wall separate. Additionally, MRA can detect acute thrombosis, which refers to the formation of a blood clot within a blood vessel, as well as aneurysms or pseudo-aneurysms, which are abnormal bulges in the arterial wall. Other conditions that can be evaluated through this imaging technique include vascular loops, malformations, tumors, and arterial causes of pulsatile tinnitus, a condition characterized by hearing a rhythmic sound in the ears that often correlates with the heartbeat. MRA is also utilized post-vascular surgery to monitor the status of intracranial vessels. The procedure involves obtaining multiple images, typically 1-2 mm thick, which are then processed using advanced algorithms to create maximum intensity projections (MIPs). These MIPs provide a comprehensive view of the blood vessels, similar to traditional subtraction angiograms, allowing for detailed analysis by the radiologist. The entire process, including the administration of contrast material through an intravenous line, is carefully managed to ensure accurate imaging and interpretation of findings.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) of the head with contrast material is indicated for the evaluation of various vascular conditions. The following are specific indications for performing this procedure:
The procedure for magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) of the head with contrast material involves several key steps to ensure accurate imaging and assessment of the vascular structures. The following outlines the procedural steps:
After the magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) procedure is completed, the patient may be monitored for a short period to ensure there are no immediate adverse reactions to the contrast material. Typically, patients can resume normal activities shortly after the procedure, as MRA is a noninvasive imaging technique with minimal recovery time. However, it is essential for patients to follow any specific post-procedure instructions provided by the healthcare team, particularly regarding hydration to help flush the contrast material from their system. The radiologist's written report will be made available to the referring physician, who will discuss the findings with the patient and determine any necessary follow-up actions or treatments based on the results of the MRA.
| Short Descr | MR ANGIOGRAPHY HEAD W/DYE | Medium Descr | MRA HEAD W/CONTRAST MATERIAL | Long Descr | Magnetic resonance angiography, head; with contrast material(s) | 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) | 4 - Special payment adjustment rules on the technical component (TC) of multiple diagnostic imaging 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 | 88 - | APC Status Indicator | Codes That May Be Paid Through a Composite APC | ASC Payment Indicator | Radiology service paid separately when provided integral to a surgical procedure on ASC list; payment based on MPFS nonfacility PE RVUs. | Type of Service (TOS) | 4 - Diagnostic Radiology | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | I2C - Advanced imaging - MRI/MRA: brain/head/neck | MUE | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 198 - Magnetic resonance imaging |
| 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. | 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. | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service | 51 | Multiple procedures: when multiple procedures, other than e/m services, physical medicine and rehabilitation services or provision of supplies (eg, vaccines), are performed at the same session by the same individual, the primary procedure or service may be reported as listed. the additional procedure(s) or service(s) may be identified by appending modifier 51 to the additional procedure or service code(s). note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d). | 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 | ME | The order for this service adheres to appropriate use criteria in the clinical decision support mechanism consulted by the ordering professional | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure | XE | Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter | 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 | 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) | CR | Catastrophe/disaster related | 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 | MA | Ordering professional is not required to consult a clinical decision support mechanism due to service being rendered to a patient with a suspected or confirmed emergency medical condition | MC | Ordering professional is not required to consult a clinical decision support mechanism due to the significant hardship exception of electronic health record or clinical decision support mechanism vendor issues | MF | The order for this service does not adhere to the appropriate use criteria in the clinical decision support mechanism consulted by the ordering professional | MG | The order for this service does not have applicable appropriate use criteria in the qualified clinical decision support mechanism consulted by the ordering professional | MH | Unknown if ordering professional consulted a clinical decision support mechanism for this service, related information was not provided to the furnishing professional or provider | 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 | Ordering professional consulted a qualified clinical decision support mechanism for this service and the related data was provided to the furnishing professional | 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 | XP | Separate practitioner, a service that is distinct because it was performed by a different practitioner |
|
Date
|
Action
|
Notes
|
|---|---|---|
| 2001-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 2001. |
Get instant expert-level medical coding assistance.