© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is a specialized imaging technique that utilizes a magnetic field, radio frequency pulses, and advanced computer technology to create detailed images of the brain's internal structures. The process begins with the generation of a magnetic field, which is achieved by passing an electric current through wire coils within the MRI machine. Additional coils are strategically placed in the machine to send and receive radio waves, which produce signals that are subsequently detected by these coils. To ensure stability during the imaging process, the patient's head is typically secured in a brace. During the fMRI examination, the patient is asked to perform a series of small tasks, such as tapping their thumb against each finger, rubbing a block of sandpaper, or responding to simple questions. These activities are designed to stimulate specific areas of the brain, allowing for the assessment of brain function. The signals generated during the fMRI are processed by a computer, which produces a series of images that represent thin slices of the brain. These images can be viewed from various angles on a computer monitor and may be printed or saved onto a CD for further analysis. The primary purpose of fMRI is to evaluate the brain's anatomy and to identify which regions are responsible for critical functions such as thought, speech, movement, and sensation. Additionally, fMRI is instrumental in assessing the impact of conditions such as stroke, trauma, or degenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. It also plays a crucial role in monitoring the growth and functionality of brain tumors and assists in planning surgical interventions, radiation therapy, or other treatment modalities for brain-related conditions.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) procedure is indicated for a variety of clinical scenarios, particularly those involving the brain's functionality and structure. The following conditions and situations warrant the use of fMRI:
The fMRI procedure involves several key steps that ensure accurate imaging and assessment of brain function. The following outlines the procedural steps involved:
After the fMRI procedure, patients may resume their normal activities immediately, as there are typically no restrictions or recovery time required. The images obtained during the scan are reviewed by a physician, who will analyze the data to assess brain function and structure. The results of the fMRI may be used to inform further diagnostic or therapeutic decisions, including the planning of surgical interventions or other treatment modalities. Patients may receive follow-up instructions based on the findings of the fMRI, and any necessary additional evaluations or treatments will be discussed with them during subsequent appointments.
| Short Descr | FMRI BRAIN BY TECH | Medium Descr | MRI BRAIN FUNCTIONAL W/O PHYSICIAN ADMNISTRATION | Long Descr | Magnetic resonance imaging, brain, functional MRI; including test selection and administration of repetitive body part movement and/or visual stimulation, not requiring physician or psychologist administration | 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) | 3 - The usual 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. | 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. | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | 50 | Bilateral procedure: unless otherwise identified in the listings, bilateral procedures that are performed at the same session, should be identified by adding modifier 50 to the appropriate 5 digit code. note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d). | 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). | 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). | AQ | Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa) | GA | Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case | LT | Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body) | ME | The order for this service adheres to appropriate use criteria in the clinical decision support mechanism consulted by the ordering professional | 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 | Q1 | Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study | Ordering professional consulted a qualified clinical decision support mechanism for this service and the related data was provided to the furnishing professional | 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 | 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 | 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 |
|
Date
|
Action
|
Notes
|
|---|---|---|
| 2007-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 2007. |
Get instant expert-level medical coding assistance.