© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen is a diagnostic imaging procedure that utilizes advanced X-ray technology to create detailed images of the internal structures within the abdominal cavity. This procedure is particularly valuable for visualizing various tissues and organs, allowing healthcare professionals to assess conditions that may not be visible through standard imaging techniques. The process begins with the patient being positioned on a table that slides into the CT scanner, which is a large, doughnut-shaped machine. During the scan, multiple narrow X-ray beams rotate around the patient, capturing a series of two-dimensional (2D) images from different angles. These images are then processed by computer software to generate thin, cross-sectional slices of the abdomen, which can be stacked to create three-dimensional (3D) models for enhanced visualization. In the case of CPT® Code 74170, the procedure is performed in two phases: initially, a CT scan is conducted without the use of contrast material, followed by the administration of contrast agents to enhance the visibility of the abdominal structures. The contrast material, typically an iodine-based dye, is introduced to improve the differentiation of tissues and highlight abnormalities. This dual-phase approach allows for a comprehensive evaluation of the abdomen, aiding in the diagnosis of various conditions such as abdominal pain, swelling, fever, appendicitis, kidney stones, tumors, abscesses, hernias, infections, and internal injuries. After the imaging is complete, the physician carefully reviews the resulting images, identifies any abnormalities, and documents a detailed interpretation of the findings for further clinical decision-making.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The procedure is indicated for a variety of clinical scenarios where detailed imaging of the abdominal area is necessary. The following conditions may warrant the use of CPT® Code 74170:
The procedure for CPT® Code 74170 involves several key steps that ensure comprehensive imaging of the abdomen. The following outlines the procedural steps:
After the completion of the CT scan, patients are typically monitored for a short period, especially if contrast material was used. It is important to observe for any adverse reactions to the contrast agent, although serious reactions are rare. Patients may be advised to drink plenty of fluids to help flush the contrast material from their system. Depending on the findings from the CT scan, the physician may discuss the results with the patient and outline any necessary follow-up actions or additional tests that may be required. Recovery is generally quick, and most patients can resume normal activities shortly after the procedure.
| Short Descr | CT ABD WO CNTRST FLWD CNTRST | Medium Descr | CT ABDOMEN W/O CONTRAST FLWD BY CONTRAST MATRL | Long Descr | Computed tomography, abdomen; without contrast material, followed by contrast material(s) and further sections | 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) | I2B - Advanced imaging - CAT/CT/CTA: other | MUE | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 179 - CT scan abdomen |
This is a primary code that can be used with these additional add-on codes.
| 0722T | Add On Code MPFS Status: Carrier Priced APC S Quantitative computed tomography (CT) tissue characterization, including interpretation and report, obtained with concurrent CT examination of any structure contained in the concurrently acquired diagnostic imaging dataset (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) |
| 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. | 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 | 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 | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | ME | The order for this service adheres to appropriate use criteria in the 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 | 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 | 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. | CT | Computed tomography services furnished using equipment that does not meet each of the attributes of the national electrical manufacturers association (nema) xr-29-2013 standard | 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 | 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). | 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 | CR | Catastrophe/disaster related | 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 | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure | 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). | 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. | CC | Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed) | ET | Emergency services | GQ | Via asynchronous telecommunications system | 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 | GZ | Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary | JW | Drug amount discarded/not administered to any patient | JZ | Zero drug amount discarded/not administered to any patient | LT | Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body) | 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 | 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 | N2 | Group 2 oxygen coverage criteria met | Q1 | Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study | Q3 | Live kidney donor surgery and related services | 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 | RT | Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body) | 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 | 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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| 2025-01-01 | Changed | Short and Medium Descriptions changed. |
| 2013-01-01 | Changed | Medium Descriptor changed. |
| 2011-01-01 | Changed | Guideline information changed. |
| 2003-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |