2025 CPT code 72084

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

Adhere to all current CPT coding guidelines for radiology procedures.Ensure that documentation supports the medical necessity and the technical aspects of the procedure.Accurate reporting of the number of views is crucial.

Modifiers 26 (professional component) and TC (technical component) are applicable depending on who performs which parts of the service.Other modifiers may apply based on specific circumstances (e.g., 59 for distinct procedural service).

Medical necessity for code 72084 is established based on clinical findings (e.g., back pain, suspected scoliosis, history of trauma) that warrant a comprehensive X-ray examination of the entire spine. The ordering physician should document the rationale for the study.

The physician is responsible for positioning the patient, taking the X-ray images, and interpreting the results.In some settings, a radiology technician may perform the technical component of taking the images while the physician interprets the images.Modifier 26 can be appended for the professional component only, and modifier TC for the technical component only.Hospital billing may have different rules regarding modifier TC.

IMPORTANT If only one view of the entire back is taken, use code 72081.If two or three views are taken, use code 72082. If four or five views are taken, use code 72083.

In simple words: This is an X-ray exam of your entire upper and lower back, which may include your head, neck, and tailbone. The doctor will take at least six pictures from different angles to check for any problems with your spine, like scoliosis (curvature of the spine).

This diagnostic procedure involves obtaining a minimum of six X-ray images of the entire thoracic and lumbar spine from various projections to assess for scoliosis or other spinal abnormalities.The images may also include the skull, cervical spine, and sacrum. The procedure requires the provider to position the patient on an X-ray table and capture images from at least six different angles. Proper documentation of each view, including the patient's position and the projection, is essential for accurate coding.

Example 1: A 14-year-old female presents with suspected scoliosis. The physician orders a comprehensive X-ray of the entire spine (72084) to assess the curvature., A 50-year-old male presents with chronic back pain.The physician requests a detailed spinal X-ray (72084) to rule out any fractures or other structural abnormalities., A 70-year-old female with a history of osteoporosis falls and complains of back pain.An X-ray of the entire spine (72084) is performed to evaluate for vertebral compression fractures.

Detailed documentation is crucial and should include: the number of views taken (minimum six), the specific projections used, patient position, and any findings noted by the radiologist.The clinical indication for the study should also be clearly stated.

** Always refer to the most current CPT codebook and payer-specific guidelines for accurate coding and billing practices.This information is for guidance only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical billing advice.

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