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Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the abdomen, as described by CPT® Code 74182, is a sophisticated imaging technique that utilizes the magnetic properties of hydrogen atoms within the body to create detailed images of internal structures. This noninvasive procedure does not involve 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, primarily found in water and fat. Following this alignment, radio waves are transmitted into the body, causing the protons in the hydrogen nuclei to emit signals. These signals are captured and processed by a computer, resulting in high-resolution, three-dimensional images of the abdominal area. MRI is particularly useful for diagnosing various conditions, including trauma, suspected internal injuries, and unexplained abdominal symptoms such as pain, swelling, or fever. The clarity of MRI images often surpasses that of computed tomography (CT) scans, especially in visualizing soft tissues and organs. In the case of CPT® Code 74182, the procedure is enhanced by the administration of contrast material, typically an iodine-based dye, which improves the visibility of specific areas within the abdomen. This contrast agent allows for better differentiation of tissues and can highlight abnormalities such as tumors, abscesses, masses, kidney stones, hernias, appendicitis, and other infections. The use of contrast is a critical aspect of this procedure, as it aids physicians in making accurate diagnoses based on the imaging results.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The procedure described by CPT® Code 74182 is indicated for a variety of clinical scenarios where detailed imaging of the abdomen is necessary. The following conditions and symptoms may warrant the use of this MRI technique:
The procedure for CPT® Code 74182 involves several key steps to ensure accurate imaging of the abdomen with the use of contrast material:
After the MRI procedure using CPT® Code 74182, patients are typically monitored for a short period to ensure there are no adverse reactions to the contrast material. Most patients can resume normal activities immediately following the procedure, although they may be advised to drink plenty of fluids to help flush the contrast dye from their system. The physician will review the images obtained during the MRI and discuss the findings with the patient, which may lead to further diagnostic testing or treatment options based on the results. It is important for patients to report any unusual symptoms or reactions following the procedure to their healthcare provider.
| Short Descr | MRI ABDOMEN W/CONTRAST | Medium Descr | MRI ABDOMEN W/CONTRAST MATERIAL | Long Descr | Magnetic resonance (eg, proton) imaging, abdomen; with 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 OPPS relative payment weight. | 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 | 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 | 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. | 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). | 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 | GA | Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case | Ordering professional consulted a qualified clinical decision support mechanism for this service and the related data was provided to the furnishing professional | 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. | AQ | Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa) | CR | Catastrophe/disaster related | 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 | MD | Ordering professional is not required to consult a clinical decision support mechanism due to the significant hardship exception of extreme and uncontrollable circumstances | 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 | 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 | Q1 | Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study | 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 | 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 | 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 Description changed. |
| 2001-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 2001. |
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