© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
A radiologic examination of the small intestine, designated by CPT® Code 74250, is a diagnostic imaging procedure that utilizes X-ray technology to visualize the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. This examination is performed using a single-contrast medium, typically barium sulfate, which is ingested by the patient to enhance the visibility of the gastrointestinal tract during imaging. The process involves the use of indirect ionizing radiation, which allows for the capture of images based on the varying densities and compositions of the tissues within the body. As X-rays pass through the body, some are absorbed by denser materials, while others are transmitted, creating a two-dimensional representation of the internal structures on a detector. The primary purpose of this examination is to diagnose various conditions affecting the small intestine, including but not limited to ulcers, tumors, inflammation, scarring, obstructions, and abnormal anatomical configurations. Patients may present with a range of symptoms that warrant this examination, such as unexplained weight loss, the presence of blood in the stool, abdominal pain, indigestion, or abdominal distention. The procedure typically begins with the acquisition of one or more anterior-posterior (AP) scout films, which are taken in either an erect or supine position prior to the administration of the contrast material. The ingestion of the barium sulfate mixture allows for the coating of the gastrointestinal tract, facilitating clearer imaging. The radiologist may also employ fluoroscopic X-ray techniques to visualize the small intestine in real-time, capturing multiple serial images as necessary to assess the function and condition of the area being examined.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The radiologic examination of the small intestine using CPT® Code 74250 is indicated for a variety of gastrointestinal symptoms and conditions. These include:
The procedure for a radiologic examination of the small intestine involves several key steps, which are detailed as follows:
After the radiologic examination of the small intestine is completed, patients are typically monitored for any immediate reactions to the barium contrast material. It is common for patients to be advised to drink plenty of fluids to help eliminate the barium from their system. They may also receive instructions regarding dietary restrictions or follow-up appointments based on the findings of the examination. Any significant findings or abnormalities observed during the imaging will be communicated to the referring physician for further evaluation and management.
| Short Descr | X-RAY XM SM INT 1CNTRST STD | Medium Descr | RADIOLOGIC EXAM SMALL INT SINGLE CONTRAST STUDY | Long Descr | Radiologic examination, small intestine, including multiple serial images and scout abdominal radiograph(s), when performed; single-contrast (eg, barium) study | 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) | 0 - No payment adjustment rules for multiple 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 | 99 - Concept Does Not Apply | APC Status Indicator | STV-Packaged Codes | 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) | I1D - Standard imaging - contrast gastrointestinal | MUE | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 185 - Upper gastrointestinal X-ray |
| 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 | XP | Separate practitioner, a service that is distinct because it was performed by a different practitioner | 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 | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main 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. | 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 | XE | Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter | 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). | CR | Catastrophe/disaster related | GZ | Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary | 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. | 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. | GW | Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition | 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). | AM | Physician, team member service | FY | X-ray taken using computed radiography technology/cassette-based imaging | GA | Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case | GV | Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider | 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 | Q1 | Routine 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) | 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 |
|
Date
|
Action
|
Notes
|
|---|---|---|
| 2020-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| 2016-01-01 | Changed | Description Changed |
| 2010-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| 2002-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
Get instant expert-level medical coding assistance.