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The procedure described by CPT® Code 74400 refers to intravenous urography, also known as pyelography. This imaging technique is utilized to visualize and examine the urinary tract, which includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. The process involves the injection of a contrast agent into a vein, which enhances the visibility of these structures on imaging studies. The primary purpose of this procedure is to assess the normal functioning of the urinary system, identify any anatomical variations or congenital anomalies, and detect the presence of obstructions or tumors within the urinary tract. During the procedure, intravenous access is established to facilitate the injection of the contrast material. Initial scout films, which are preliminary images of the kidneys, ureters, and bladder (often referred to as KUB), may be taken to provide a baseline for comparison. Following the injection of the contrast, fluoroscopic imaging is performed at various intervals while the patient is positioned in different orientations, such as supine, prone, or oblique, to capture comprehensive views of the urinary system. If tomography is included in the procedure, it allows for the imaging of the urinary system in sections, creating a three-dimensional representation that enhances the detail and clarity of the images obtained. As the contrast material filters through the kidneys and travels down the ureters to accumulate in the bladder, the patient may be asked to void. Additional films may then be taken to evaluate the function of the urethra, ensuring that the bladder is completely emptied. This thorough approach provides valuable diagnostic information regarding the urinary tract's structure and function.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The procedure described by CPT® Code 74400 is indicated for various clinical scenarios related to the urinary system. The following conditions may warrant the use of intravenous urography:
The procedure for CPT® Code 74400 involves several key steps that ensure comprehensive imaging of the urinary tract. The following outlines the procedural steps:
After the completion of the intravenous urography procedure, patients may be monitored for any immediate reactions to the contrast material. It is important to ensure that the patient is stable and does not exhibit any adverse effects. Patients are typically advised to hydrate adequately to help flush the contrast agent from their system. Follow-up imaging or assessments may be scheduled based on the findings from the procedure, and any necessary referrals to specialists may be made if abnormalities are detected. Additionally, patients should be informed about any signs or symptoms to watch for post-procedure, such as changes in urination or discomfort.
| Short Descr | UROGRAPHY IV +-KUB TOMOG | Medium Descr | UROGRAPHY IV W/WO KUB W/WO TOMOGRAPHY | Long Descr | Urography (pyelography), intravenous, with or without KUB, with or without tomography | 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 | Procedure or Service, Not Discounted when Multiple | 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) | I1F - Standard imaging - other | MUE | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 187 - Intravenous pyelogram |
| 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 | 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. | 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. | AQ | Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa) | CR | Catastrophe/disaster related | FY | X-ray taken using computed radiography technology/cassette-based imaging | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | GW | Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition | LT | Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body) | 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 | RT | Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body) | 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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| 2021-01-01 | Changed | Short description changed. |
| 2011-01-01 | Changed | Short description changed. |
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
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