Question: Which CPT code should I use for a total spine MRI without contrast?
Answer: You won't find a single CPT code that describes a “total spine� MRI, but you may report a code for each region the radiologist examines:
• 72141 — Magnetic resonance (e.g., proton) imaging, spinal canal and contents, cervical; without contrast material
• 72146 — Magnetic resonance (e.g., proton) imaging, spinal canal and contents, thoracic; without contrast material
• 72148 — Magnetic resonance (e.g., proton) imaging, spinal canal and contents, lumbar; without contrast material.
Support: Reporting all three spine regions (cervical, thoracic, lumbar) is appropriate when the radiologist performs and interprets an MRI of all three regions, according to the July/August 2003 issue of The ACR's Radiology Coding Source. The ACR recommends that the radiologist dictate separate reports for each separate region studied.