2025 CPT code 72083

Radiologic examination of the entire thoracic and lumbar spine, including skull, cervical, and sacral spine if performed (e.g., scoliosis evaluation); 4 or 5 views.

Adhere to CPT coding guidelines for radiology procedures. Accurate documentation of views and findings is crucial for proper reimbursement.

Modifiers 26 (professional component only) and TC (technical component only) may be appended as appropriate based on the provider's services.Hospital policies may impact the use of modifier TC.

Medical necessity for a 72083 is established when there is a clinical indication to assess the structural integrity or identify abnormalities of the spine, such as evaluating symptoms of back pain, scoliosis, trauma, or other suspected spinal pathologies.The referring physician should document the clinical justification for the procedure.

The clinical responsibility includes positioning the patient, operating the X-ray equipment, obtaining the required images, and interpreting the radiographic findings to generate a report for the referring physician.

IMPORTANT 72081 (single view), 72082 (two or three views), 72084 (at least six views)

In simple words: This is an X-ray exam of your entire back, from the top of your neck to your tailbone.The doctor will take four or five X-rays from different angles to check for problems like scoliosis (curvature of the spine).

This diagnostic procedure involves obtaining X-ray images of the entire thoracic (upper and middle) and lumbar (lower) spine from four or five projections (directions or angles).The skull, cervical (neck), and sacral (tailbone) regions of the spine may also be included in the imaging to comprehensively evaluate for scoliosis or other spinal abnormalities. The procedure uses ionizing radiation to capture images of the specified spinal areas, aiding in the diagnosis and management of various spinal conditions.

Example 1: A 14-year-old presents with suspected scoliosis.A 72083 is performed to evaluate the curvature of the spine., A patient with chronic back pain undergoes a 72083 to assess for possible fractures or degenerative changes., A patient post-trauma evaluation requires a 72083 to rule out spinal injuries.

* Patient demographics and identifying information.* Reason for the examination (e.g., suspected scoliosis, back pain, trauma).* Number and type of views obtained.* Radiologist's interpretation report, including measurements, diagnoses, and recommendations.

** Always cross-reference with payer-specific guidelines for billing and reimbursement.

  • Revenue Code: I1B (STANDARD IMAGING - MUSCULOSKELETAL)
  • RVU: Not specified in provided data.Refer to the CMS Physician Fee Schedule for current RVUs and reimbursement rates.
  • Global Days : Not applicable to this diagnostic procedure.
  • Payment Status: Active
  • Modifier TC rule: Modifier TC is applicable if only the technical component of the service is performed. However, hospital billing practices may vary.
  • Fee Schedule : Fee schedule information varies by payer and geographical location. Refer to current payer fee schedules for accurate data.
  • Specialties:Orthopedics, Neurosurgery, Radiology
  • Place of Service:Office, Hospital (Inpatient and Outpatient), Ambulatory Surgical Center, Imaging Center
** Only Enterprise users with EHR integration can access case-specific answers. Click here to request access.