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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 to send and receive radio waves, which produce signals that are captured by the machine's coils. To ensure accuracy during the imaging process, the patient's head is typically secured in a brace to minimize movement. 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 activate specific areas of the brain, allowing for the assessment of brain function. The resulting images are processed by a computer, generating a series of cross-sectional views of the brain, which can be analyzed from various angles by the physician. The primary purpose of fMRI is to evaluate the brain's anatomy and to identify which regions are responsible for critical functions, including 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 brain tumors' growth and function and aids in planning surgical interventions, radiation therapy, or other treatment modalities for brain-related conditions.
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Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is indicated for a variety of clinical scenarios where understanding brain function is essential. 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:
After the fMRI procedure, patients may resume their normal activities immediately, as there are typically no restrictions or recovery time required. The results of the fMRI will be analyzed by the physician, who will discuss the findings with the patient in a follow-up appointment. It is important for patients to understand that the interpretation of fMRI results may take some time, as the physician will need to correlate the imaging findings with clinical symptoms and other diagnostic information. Any further steps or treatments will be determined based on the results of the fMRI and the patient's overall clinical picture.
| Short Descr | FMRI BRAIN BY PHYS/PSYCH | Medium Descr | MRI BRAIN FUNCTIONAL W/PHYSICIAN ADMNISTRATION | Long Descr | Magnetic resonance imaging, brain, functional MRI; requiring physician or psychologist administration of entire neurofunctional testing | Status Code | Carriers Price the 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) | 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 | 99 - Concept Does Not Apply | APC Status Indicator | Procedure or Service, Not Discounted when Multiple | 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. | 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 | 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). | 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. | CR | Catastrophe/disaster related | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | GW | Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition | LT | Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body) | 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 | 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 | 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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| 2007-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 2007. |
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