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Official Description

Magnetic resonance angiography, neck; without contrast material(s)

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

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 neck. The procedure identified by CPT® Code 70547 specifically refers to MRA performed without the use of contrast materials. This noninvasive approach allows healthcare providers to assess the condition of arterial and venous vessels, making it a valuable tool in diagnosing various vascular conditions. MRA is particularly useful for evaluating issues such as atherosclerotic stenosis, which is the narrowing of arteries due to plaque buildup, arterial dissection, where a tear forms in the artery wall, acute thrombosis, which refers to the formation of a blood clot, and the presence of aneurysms or pseudo-aneurysms. Additionally, MRA can help identify vascular loops, malformations, tumors, and arterial causes of pulsatile tinnitus, a condition characterized by hearing a rhythmic sound in the ears. The procedure may also be indicated following vascular surgery on neck vessels to monitor their status. During the MRA, multiple images are captured, typically 1-2 mm thick, and processed using advanced algorithms to generate maximum intensity projections (MIPs), which provide enhanced visualization of the blood vessels. The radiologist reviews these images, along with the initial MRA scans, to interpret the findings and provide a comprehensive report.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) of the neck without contrast materials is indicated for the evaluation of various vascular conditions. The following conditions may warrant the use of this procedure:

  • Atherosclerotic stenosis - A condition characterized by the narrowing of arteries due to plaque buildup, which can restrict blood flow.
  • Arterial dissection - A serious condition where a tear forms in the artery wall, potentially leading to severe complications.
  • Acute thrombosis - The formation of a blood clot within a blood vessel, which can impede circulation.
  • Aneurysms or pseudo-aneurysms - Abnormal bulges in the wall of an artery that can pose a risk of rupture.
  • Vascular loops - Abnormal loops in the blood vessels that may affect blood flow.
  • Vascular malformations/tumors - Abnormal growths or formations in the vascular system that require assessment.
  • Arterial causes of pulsatile tinnitus - Conditions related to blood flow in the arteries that may lead to the perception of sound in the ears.

2. Procedure

The procedure for magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) of the neck without contrast materials involves several key steps to ensure accurate imaging of the blood vessels. The following outlines the procedural steps:

  • Patient Preparation - The patient is positioned comfortably on the examination table, and any necessary pre-procedure instructions are provided. This may include removing metal objects and ensuring the patient is in a relaxed state to minimize movement during imaging.
  • Imaging Setup - The patient is placed inside the MRI machine, which generates a strong magnetic field. The technologist ensures that the area of interest, in this case, the neck, is properly aligned within the magnetic field for optimal imaging.
  • Image Acquisition - The MRA procedure begins with the acquisition of multiple images of the neck region. These images are typically 1-2 mm in thickness and are captured using radiofrequency pulses. The imaging process is noninvasive and does not involve the use of contrast materials.
  • Image Processing - After the images are obtained, they are processed using advanced algorithms to create maximum intensity projections (MIPs). This post-processing step enhances the visualization of the blood vessels, allowing for clearer assessment of any abnormalities.
  • Radiologist Review - The radiologist reviews the MIPs alongside the initial MRA images to identify areas of interest. Detailed views of the arteries may be coned down for further examination.
  • Interpretation and Reporting - Finally, the radiologist provides a written interpretation of the findings based on the reviewed images, which is then documented for clinical use.

3. Post-Procedure

After the magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) procedure is completed, there are typically no specific post-procedure care requirements due to the noninvasive nature of the imaging. Patients can generally resume their normal activities immediately following the examination. However, it is important for the healthcare provider to discuss any findings from the MRA with the patient during a follow-up appointment. The radiologist's report will provide insights into the vascular status and any potential conditions that may require further evaluation or treatment.

Short Descr MR ANGIOGRAPHY NECK W/O DYE
Medium Descr MRA NECK W/O CONTRST MATERIAL
Long Descr Magnetic resonance angiography, neck; without 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 OPPS relative payment weight.
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.
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).
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
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
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.
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
ME The order for this service adheres to appropriate use criteria in the clinical decision support mechanism consulted by the ordering professional
GA Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case
GZ Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary
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
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
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).
XE Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter
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
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
QQ Ordering professional consulted a qualified clinical decision support mechanism for this service and the related data was provided to the furnishing professional
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.
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
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).
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.
AM Physician, team member service
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
GV Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
GY Item or service statutorily excluded, does not meet the definition of any medicare benefit or, for non-medicare insurers, is not a contract benefit
MB Ordering professional is not required to consult a clinical decision support mechanism due to the significant hardship exception of insufficient internet access
MD Ordering professional is not required to consult a clinical decision support mechanism due to the significant hardship exception of extreme and uncontrollable circumstances
Q1 Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study
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)
U6 Medicaid level of care 6, as defined by each state
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
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
Date
Action
Notes
2001-01-01 Added First appearance in code book in 2001.
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