© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
Computed tomography (CT), commonly known as a CT scan, is a diagnostic imaging procedure that employs advanced X-ray technology and computer processing to generate detailed cross-sectional images of the abdomen and pelvis. This procedure is particularly valuable in visualizing internal structures, allowing for the assessment of various conditions affecting these body regions. During the CT scan, the patient is carefully positioned on a specialized examination table, which is then moved through the CT scanner. Initially, a preliminary scan is conducted to establish the optimal starting position for the imaging process. Following this, the CT scan is executed, where multiple X-ray beams are emitted and detected as they rotate around the abdomen and pelvis. The system measures the radiation absorption by different tissues, which is crucial for creating accurate images. The data collected during the scan is processed by a computer, resulting in two-dimensional images that provide a comprehensive view of the internal anatomy. Physicians can analyze these images in real-time and may request additional scans to focus on specific areas of interest. This particular CPT® code, 74178, is utilized when the CT scan is performed initially without the use of intravenous contrast material, followed by the administration of contrast material to enhance the imaging quality and allow for further detailed sections to be captured. The physician is responsible for reviewing the images, identifying any abnormalities, and documenting a formal interpretation of the findings for clinical use.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The procedure is indicated for various clinical scenarios where detailed imaging of the abdomen and pelvis is necessary. The following conditions may warrant the use of this CT scan:
The procedure involves several key steps to ensure accurate imaging of the abdomen and pelvis:
After the completion of the CT scan, the patient may be monitored briefly to ensure there are no immediate adverse reactions to the contrast material. It is common for patients to resume normal activities shortly after the procedure, although they may be advised to drink plenty of fluids to help flush the contrast material from their system. The physician will provide a written interpretation of the findings, which will be used for further clinical decision-making. Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to discuss the results and any necessary next steps based on the imaging findings.
| Short Descr | CT ABD&PLV WO CNTR FLWD CNTR | Medium Descr | CT ABD&PLV W/O CNTRST 1/BTH FLWD CNTRST 1/BTH | Long Descr | Computed tomography, abdomen and pelvis; without contrast material in one or both body regions, followed by contrast material(s) and further sections in one or both body regions | 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) | 9 - Concept does not apply. | 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 | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | 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 | ME | The order for this service adheres to appropriate use criteria in the clinical decision support mechanism consulted by the ordering professional | 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. | 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 | 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 | Ordering professional consulted a qualified clinical decision support mechanism for this service and the related data was provided to the furnishing professional | GA | Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case | 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 | 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). | 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. | Q1 | Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study | 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 | AQ | Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa) | CR | Catastrophe/disaster related | 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). | 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 | 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 | CC | Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed) | GW | Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition | 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 | 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 | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service | 22 | Increased procedural services: when the work required to provide a service is substantially greater than typically required, it may be identified by adding modifier 22 to the usual procedure code. documentation must support the substantial additional work and the reason for the additional work (ie, increased intensity, time, technical difficulty of procedure, severity of patient's condition, physical and mental effort required). note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service. | 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 | ET | Emergency services | FY | X-ray taken using computed radiography technology/cassette-based imaging | GQ | Via asynchronous telecommunications system | GV | Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider | GZ | Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary | 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) | 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 | PD | Diagnostic or related non diagnostic item or service provided in a wholly owned or operated entity to a patient who is admitted as an inpatient within 3 days | Q0 | Investigational clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study | 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 | 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 |
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| 2025-01-01 | Changed | Short and Medium Descriptions changed. |
| 2013-01-01 | Changed | Medium Descriptor changed. |
| 2011-01-01 | Added | Added |