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Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the abdomen, as described by CPT® Code 74181, is a sophisticated imaging technique that utilizes the magnetic properties of hydrogen atoms present in the body to create detailed images of internal structures. This noninvasive procedure does not involve the use of ionizing radiation, making it a safer alternative for patients requiring abdominal imaging. During the MRI, the patient is positioned on a motorized table that moves into a large cylindrical scanner, which houses a powerful magnet. The magnetic field generated by the scanner aligns the hydrogen atoms in the body, and radio waves are then transmitted into this magnetic field. As the protons in the hydrogen nuclei respond to the radio waves, they emit specific radiofrequency signals. These signals are captured and processed by a computer, which converts them into high-resolution, three-dimensional images of the abdomen. MRI is particularly useful for evaluating various abdominal conditions, including trauma, suspected internal injuries, and unexplained symptoms such as abdominal pain, swelling, or fever. The clarity of MRI images allows for the visualization of soft tissues and organs that may not be as clearly seen with other imaging modalities, such as computed tomography (CT). It is important to note that in the case of CPT® Code 74181, no contrast material is utilized during the imaging process, differentiating it from other related codes where contrast agents may be administered to enhance image quality. The resulting images are then analyzed by the physician to identify potential abnormalities, such as tumors, abscesses, masses, kidney stones, hernias, appendicitis, infections, or other internal injuries, providing critical information for diagnosis and treatment planning.
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Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the abdomen, as indicated by CPT® Code 74181, is performed for a variety of clinical reasons. The following conditions and symptoms may warrant the use of this imaging technique:
The procedure for conducting an MRI of the abdomen using CPT® Code 74181 involves several key steps that ensure accurate imaging results. First, the patient is prepared for the MRI by removing any metal objects, such as jewelry or clothing with metal fasteners, as these can interfere with the magnetic field. The patient is then positioned on a motorized table that slides into the MRI scanner, which is a large, tube-shaped machine containing a powerful magnet. Once the patient is comfortably positioned, the technician may place small coils around the abdomen to enhance the quality of the images by improving the transmission and reception of radio waves. Next, the MRI machine is activated, and the powerful magnetic field aligns the hydrogen atoms in the body. The technician then initiates the imaging process by sending radiofrequency pulses into the abdomen. As the protons in the hydrogen atoms respond to these pulses, they emit radiofrequency signals that are captured by the MRI machine. The computer processes these signals to create detailed, high-resolution images of the abdominal structures. Throughout the procedure, the patient is instructed to remain still to avoid motion artifacts that could compromise image quality. The entire process typically lasts between 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the specific imaging requirements and the complexity of the case.
After the MRI procedure is completed, the patient can usually resume normal activities immediately, as there are no significant side effects associated with the imaging process. The images obtained during the MRI will be reviewed by a radiologist, who will interpret the findings and generate a report. This report will be shared with the referring physician, who will discuss the results with the patient and determine any necessary follow-up actions or treatments based on the findings. It is important for patients to communicate any discomfort experienced during the procedure, as well as to inform their healthcare provider of any ongoing symptoms that may require further evaluation.
| Short Descr | MRI ABDOMEN W/O CONTRAST | Medium Descr | MRI ABDOMEN W/O CONTRAST MATERIAL | Long Descr | Magnetic resonance (eg, proton) imaging, abdomen; 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 MPFS nonfacility PE RVUs. | Type of Service (TOS) | 4 - Diagnostic Radiology | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | I2D - Advanced imaging - MRI/MRA: other | MUE | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 198 - Magnetic resonance imaging |
This is a primary code that can be used with these additional add-on codes.
| 0649T | Add-on Code MPFS Status: Carrier Priced APC S Quantitative magnetic resonance for analysis of tissue composition (eg, fat, iron, water content), including multiparametric data acquisition, data preparation and transmission, interpretation and report, obtained with diagnostic MRI examination of the same anatomy (eg, organ, gland, tissue, target structure); single organ (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) | 0698T | Add-on Code Resequenced Code MPFS Status: Carrier Priced APC S ASC Z2 Quantitative magnetic resonance for analysis of tissue composition (eg, fat, iron, water content), including multiparametric data acquisition, data preparation and transmission, interpretation and report, obtained with diagnostic MRI examination of the same anatomy (eg, organ, gland, tissue, target structure); multiple organs (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) | 0724T | Add On Code MPFS Status: Carrier Priced APC S Quantitative magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (QMRCP), including data preparation and transmission, interpretation and report, obtained with diagnostic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination of the same anatomy (eg, organ, gland, tissue, target structure) (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 | 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). | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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) | 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). | Ordering professional consulted a qualified clinical decision support mechanism for this service and the related data was provided to the furnishing professional | 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 | 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. | 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. | GA | Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case | CR | Catastrophe/disaster related | 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 | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure | 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 | Q1 | Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study | 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 | 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. | 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 | GZ | Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary | 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 | 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 |
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| 2025-01-01 | Changed | Short Description changed. |
| 2001-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
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