Orthopedic Coding Alert

Question: Encounter notes indicate the provider ordered a magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). How do I code this encounter, and how does MRA differ from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)?

Rhode Island Subscriber

Answer: In order to properly code the MRA, you’ll need more information on the anatomic location of the MRA. Here’s a list of codes that represent MRAs that your surgeon might order:

• 72159 (Magnetic resonance angiography, spinal canal and contents, with or without contrast material(s))
• 73225 (Magnetic resonance angiography, upper extremity, with or without contrast material(s))
• 73725 (Magnetic resonance angiography, lower extremity, with or without contrast material(s))

MRA and MRI are imaging techniques that both use magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed images of the body. There are four key differences between the two studies:

• Purpose: MRA visualizes blood vessels and blood flow in the body, and provides detailed images of arteries and veins. MRI is a more general technique that can be used to examine various structures and tissues in the body, including organs, muscles, bones, and the brain.
• Contrast agents: MRA often requires the use of a contrast agent, which allows for better visualization of the blood flow and helps to identify any abnormalities. MRI may or may not require a contrast agent, depending on the specific purpose of the scan.
• Techniques: MRA uses specific imaging sequences and techniques that are optimized for visualizing blood vessels. These techniques include time-of-flight (TOF) MRA, contrast-enhanced MRA, and phase-contrast MRA. MRI uses a variety of imaging sequences and techniques to capture detailed images of different tissues and structures in the body. These sequences include T1-weighted, T2-weighted, inversion recovery, and proton density images, among others.
• Applications: Providers use MRA to evaluate vascular diseases, such as arterial or venous occlusions, aneurysms, or arteriovenous malformations. It is also used to plan for surgical interventions or endovascular procedures. Providers use MRI to diagnose and monitor conditions such as tumors, infections, inflammation, degenerative diseases, and neurological disorders, among others.