ICD-10-PCS Code For Cervical Spine: Procedure Code Group Overview

The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Procedure Coding System (ICD-10-PCS) code group BR20 includes procedures performed to image the cervical spine using computerized tomography. These ICD-10-PCS codes are used for inpatient documentation when a multiplanar CT scan of the cervical spine is performed to evaluate bony injury, degenerative disease, or other pathology. Accurate coding within the ICD-10-PCS BR20 group is essential for proper inpatient reimbursement, as it captures the imaging procedure performed and determines appropriate case mix and payment.

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Cervical Spine Computerized Tomography Procedure Overview

This procedure group includes computerized tomography imaging procedures targeting the cervical spine within the axial skeleton. These procedures capture multiplanar images using external ionizing radiation to evaluate bony and soft tissue structures of the cervical spine. Accurate ICD-10-PCS coding ensures inpatient records reflect the imaging performed and supports appropriate case mix assignment and reimbursement.

Code Attributes

Character	ICD-10-PCS Category	Code Group Details
B	Section	Imaging
R	Body System	Axial Skeleton, Except Skull and Facial Bones
2	Operation	Computerized Tomography (CT Scan)
0	Body Part	Cervical Spine

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ICD-10-PCS Code For Cervical Spine: Procedure Code Group Overview

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Cervical Spine Computerized Tomography Procedure Overview

Code Attributes

Character	ICD-10-PCS Category	Code Group Details
B	Section	Imaging
R	Body System	Axial Skeleton, Except Skull and Facial Bones
2	Operation	Computerized Tomography (CT Scan)
0	Body Part	Cervical Spine

When to Use

Use a code from this group when a cervical spine CT scan is ordered and performed during an inpatient encounter to evaluate trauma, suspected fracture, degenerative changes, or other cervical pathology. Codes apply when multiplanar reformatted CT images of the cervical spine are generated using external ionizing radiation.

ICD-10-PCS Codes

4 rows

ICD-10-PCS Code	Description
BR200ZZ	Computerized Tomography (CT Scan) of Cervical Spine using High Osmolar Contrast
BR201ZZ	Computerized Tomography (CT Scan) of Cervical Spine using Low Osmolar Contrast
BR20YZZ	Computerized Tomography (CT Scan) of Cervical Spine using Other Contrast
BR20ZZZ	Computerized Tomography (CT Scan) of Cervical Spine

Typical Clinical Scenarios

Elderly patient with acute fall and neck pain admitted from the emergency department for trauma evaluation after focal neurologic deficits and midline cervical spine tenderness. Inpatient care is required to assess for occult fractures or cervical instability that may not be visible on plain radiographs; a multiplanar CT of the cervical spine is obtained to define bony injury and guide management. Typical codes: BR20ZZZ
Middle-aged patient with progressive myelopathic symptoms and outpatient MRI inconclusive for osseous foraminal stenosis, admitted for planned preoperative assessment and surgical planning. A reformatted CT of the cervical spine is performed during the inpatient stay to provide high-resolution multiplanar bony detail and foraminal measurements prior to instrumentation. Typical codes: BR20ZZZ, BR201ZZ
Hospitalized patient with known contrast allergy undergoing evaluation for suspected infected cervical hardware and adjacent osteolysis after recent fusion; prior imaging limited and vascular detail is desired. A CT scan of the cervical spine using low osmolar contrast is performed inpatient to delineate bony destruction and contrast-enhancing collections while minimizing contrast reaction risk. Typical codes: BR201ZZ

ICD-10-PCS Code For Thoracic Spine: Procedure Code Group Overview

BR29-LUMBAR-SPINE-COMPUTERIZED-TOMOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Lumbar Spine: Procedure Code Group Overview

BR2C-PELVIS-COMPUTERIZED-TOMOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Pelvis: Procedure Code Group Overview

BR2D-SACROILIAC-JOINTS-COMPUTERIZED-TOMOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Sacroiliac Joints: Procedure Code Group Overview

BR2F-SACRUM-AND-COCCYX-COMPUTERIZED-TOMOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Sacrum And Coccyx: Procedure Code Group Overview

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.

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When to Use

ICD-10-PCS Codes

4 rows

ICD-10-PCS Code	Description
BR200ZZ	Computerized Tomography (CT Scan) of Cervical Spine using High Osmolar Contrast
BR201ZZ	Computerized Tomography (CT Scan) of Cervical Spine using Low Osmolar Contrast
BR20YZZ	Computerized Tomography (CT Scan) of Cervical Spine using Other Contrast
BR20ZZZ	Computerized Tomography (CT Scan) of Cervical Spine

Typical Clinical Scenarios

Elderly patient with acute fall and neck pain admitted from the emergency department for trauma evaluation after focal neurologic deficits and midline cervical spine tenderness. Inpatient care is required to assess for occult fractures or cervical instability that may not be visible on plain radiographs; a multiplanar CT of the cervical spine is obtained to define bony injury and guide management. Typical codes: BR20ZZZ
Middle-aged patient with progressive myelopathic symptoms and outpatient MRI inconclusive for osseous foraminal stenosis, admitted for planned preoperative assessment and surgical planning. A reformatted CT of the cervical spine is performed during the inpatient stay to provide high-resolution multiplanar bony detail and foraminal measurements prior to instrumentation. Typical codes: BR20ZZZ, BR201ZZ
Hospitalized patient with known contrast allergy undergoing evaluation for suspected infected cervical hardware and adjacent osteolysis after recent fusion; prior imaging limited and vascular detail is desired. A CT scan of the cervical spine using low osmolar contrast is performed inpatient to delineate bony destruction and contrast-enhancing collections while minimizing contrast reaction risk. Typical codes: BR201ZZ

ICD-10-PCS Code For Thoracic Spine: Procedure Code Group Overview

BR29-LUMBAR-SPINE-COMPUTERIZED-TOMOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Lumbar Spine: Procedure Code Group Overview

BR2C-PELVIS-COMPUTERIZED-TOMOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Pelvis: Procedure Code Group Overview

BR2D-SACROILIAC-JOINTS-COMPUTERIZED-TOMOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Sacroiliac Joints: Procedure Code Group Overview

BR2F-SACRUM-AND-COCCYX-COMPUTERIZED-TOMOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Sacrum And Coccyx: Procedure Code Group Overview

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.

Published by

Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

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ICD-10-PCS Code For Cervical Spine: Procedure Code Group Overview

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Cervical Spine Computerized Tomography Procedure Overview

Code Attributes

OpenPayer

ICD-10-PCS Code For Cervical Spine: Procedure Code Group Overview

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Cervical Spine Computerized Tomography Procedure Overview

Code Attributes

When to Use

ICD-10-PCS Codes

Typical Clinical Scenarios

Related Codes

References

When to Use

ICD-10-PCS Codes

Typical Clinical Scenarios

Related Codes

References

ICD-10-PCS Code For Cervical Spine: Procedure Code Group Overview

Sign up for ICD-10-PCS Code For Cervical Spine: Procedure Code Group Overview policy alerts

Cervical Spine Computerized Tomography Procedure Overview

Code Attributes

ICD-10-PCS Code For Cervical Spine: Procedure Code Group Overview

Sign up for ICD-10-PCS Code For Cervical Spine: Procedure Code Group Overview policy alerts

Cervical Spine Computerized Tomography Procedure Overview

Code Attributes

When to Use

ICD-10-PCS Codes

Typical Clinical Scenarios

Related Codes

Which procedures are included in the BR20 ICD-10-PCS code group?

What is the primary purpose of a cervical spine CT coded to BR20 codes?

How does accurate coding within BR20 affect inpatient documentation and payment?

What code attributes define the BR20 procedure group?

How do the individual BR20 codes differ from one another?

References

When to Use

ICD-10-PCS Codes

Typical Clinical Scenarios

Related Codes

Which procedures are included in the BR20 ICD-10-PCS code group?

What is the primary purpose of a cervical spine CT coded to BR20 codes?

How does accurate coding within BR20 affect inpatient documentation and payment?

What code attributes define the BR20 procedure group?

How do the individual BR20 codes differ from one another?

References