Top 10 radiology CPT codes at imaging centers
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Radiologists are a vital part of acute and chronic care teams. These physicians use medical imaging technology—such as x-rays, CT scans, MRIs and ultrasounds—to diagnose and treat injuries and illnesses in patients.
Below, we’ve compiled the top radiology procedures at imaging centers by total charges and by volume using claims analytics.
Top radiology procedures by total charges
|
Rank |
CPT Code |
CPT Description |
Total Charges |
# Total Procedures |
|
1 |
74177 |
CT of abdomen & pelvis w/ contrast |
$11,811,351,094 |
5,489,079 |
|
2 |
70450 |
CT of head, brain w/o dye |
$6,296,549,085 |
6,166,605 |
|
3 |
74176 |
CT of abdomen & pelvis w/o contrast |
$4,946,334,976 |
2,727,134 |
|
4 |
78452 |
SPECT image of heart muscle |
$3,207,646,387 |
1,476,945 |
|
5 |
77067 |
Screen mammography, bilateral, w/ computer-aided detection |
$3,048,297,641 |
9,607,976 |
|
6 |
70553 |
MRI of brain stem w/o & w/ dye |
$2,969,983,441 |
1,389,494 |
|
7 |
71275 |
CT angiography of chest |
$2,883,599,872 |
2,031,262 |
|
8 |
77386 |
Intensity modulated radiation therapy |
$2,872,048,215 |
609,557 |
|
9 |
72125 |
CT of neck & spine w/o dye |
$2,407,724,528 |
1,756,643 |
|
10 |
71045 |
X-ray exam of chest, 1 view |
$2,375,739,864 |
17,001,608 |
Fig 1. Data from Definitive Healthcare’s platform on commercial claims analytics. Top CPT codes are from imaging center reports from CY 2021 and include diagnostic radiology procedures.
Computed tomography (CT) scans of the abdomen and pelvis with contrast top the list, with more than $11 billion in total charges. These procedures are used in the diagnosis of common causes of abdominal and pelvic pain, including appendicitis, inflammatory bowel disease, kidney and bladder stones, and cancers of the abdominal organs.
Interestingly, research suggests that some COVID-19 patients also present with abdominal symptoms, which may lead to a CT scan or other imaging procedure following an admission for COVID or related concerns.
Top Radiology Procedures by Volume
|
Fig 2. Data from Definitive Healthcare’s platform on commercial claims analytics. Top CPT codes are from imaging center reports from CY 2021 and include diagnostic radiology procedures.
In the list of top radiology procedures by volume, x-ray exams of the chest (1 view) took the lead with over 17 million procedures. Likewise, the 2-view x-ray exam of the chest occupies the third spot on the list with 9.2 million procedures total. This high ranking is unsurprising, as chest x-rays are widely performed to detect a wide variety of conditions. Some of the most common chest-related conditions include cancer, infections, cystic fibrosis, and other illnesses that impact the heart and lungs.
Radiology subspecialties
Physicians who specialize in radiology are broadly divided into three categories: diagnostic radiologists, interventional radiologists and radiation oncologists. Once a physician refers a patient for radiological testing, a diagnostic radiologist becomes a consultant in deciding on and executing treatments as part of the patient’s care plan. Diagnostic radiologists are also responsible for performing exams, interpreting the data and presenting results to other care providers.
Some diagnostic radiologists focus on a subspecialty, including but not limited to:
- Cardiovascular imaging
- Emergency radiology
- Mammography
- Neuroradiology
- Pediatric imaging
Interventional radiologists diagnose and treat patients using minimally invasive (laparoscopic), image-guided procedures that target the source of a medical issue. These specialists primarily treat conditions like heart disease, cancer and stroke, as laparoscopic procedures generally offer less risk and faster patient recovery times. Radiation oncologists oversee care plans for patients with cancer, often with radiation therapy. They also monitor patient progress to ensure the effectiveness of radiation treatments.
Learn more
Looking for more information on radiology and other outpatient procedures? Definitive Healthcare’s healthcare commercial intelligence platform tracks diagnosis and procedure data on more than 9,100 hospitals and IDNs in the U.S., including all-payor claims data updated every month. Sign up for a free trial today to learn more.