ICD-10-PCS Code For Head And Neck: Procedure Code Group Overview

The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Procedure Coding System (ICD-10-PCS) code group BW29 includes procedures performed to capture computerized tomography images of anatomical regions in the head and neck. These ICD-10-PCS codes are used for inpatient documentation when cross-sectional and reformatted multiplanar imaging from multiple exposures of external ionizing radiation is performed for diagnostic evaluation or treatment planning. Accurate coding within the ICD-10-PCS BW29 group is essential for proper inpatient reimbursement, as it captures the procedure performed and supports clinical documentation accuracy.

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Head And Neck Computerized Tomography Procedure Overview

This procedure group includes computer reformatted multiplanar imaging studies of the head and neck developed from multiple exposures of external ionizing radiation. Procedures target the anatomical regions of the head and neck and use computerized tomography to produce cross-sectional and reformatted images for diagnostic and treatment planning purposes. Accurate ICD-10-PCS coding ensures inpatient records reflect the imaging performed and supports appropriate case mix and payment.

Code Attributes

Character	ICD-10-PCS Category	Code Group Details
B	Section	Imaging
W	Body System	Anatomical Regions
2	Operation	Computerized Tomography (CT Scan)
9	Body Part	Head and Neck

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ICD-10-PCS Code For Head And Neck: Procedure Code Group Overview

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Head And Neck Computerized Tomography Procedure Overview

Code Attributes

Character	ICD-10-PCS Category	Code Group Details
B	Section	Imaging
W	Body System	Anatomical Regions
2	Operation	Computerized Tomography (CT Scan)
9	Body Part	Head and Neck

When to Use

Use a code from this group when inpatient care includes computerized tomography of the head and neck with computer reformatting into multiplanar images derived from multiple exposures of external ionizing radiation. Select the code when documentation indicates CT image acquisition and computerized reformatted digital displays were produced for diagnostic or treatment planning purposes.

ICD-10-PCS Codes

7 rows

ICD-10-PCS Code	Description
BW2900Z	Computerized Tomography (CT Scan) of Head and Neck using High Osmolar Contrast, Unenhanced and Enhanced
BW290ZZ	Computerized Tomography (CT Scan) of Head and Neck using High Osmolar Contrast
BW2910Z	Computerized Tomography (CT Scan) of Head and Neck using Low Osmolar Contrast, Unenhanced and Enhanced
BW291ZZ	Computerized Tomography (CT Scan) of Head and Neck using Low Osmolar Contrast
BW29Y0Z	Computerized Tomography (CT Scan) of Head and Neck using Other Contrast, Unenhanced and Enhanced
BW29YZZ	Computerized Tomography (CT Scan) of Head and Neck using Other Contrast
BW29ZZZ	Computerized Tomography (CT Scan) of Head and Neck

Typical Clinical Scenarios

A 68-year-old male is admitted through the emergency department after a motor vehicle collision with suspected basal skull fracture and persistent confusion. The inpatient team orders cross-sectional imaging with reformatted multiplanar CT of the head and neck to assess for skull base fractures, intracranial hemorrhage, and cervical spine injury; both noncontrast and contrast-enhanced phases are performed due to concern for vascular injury. The study generates reformatted digital displays from multiple external ionizing radiation exposures to guide urgent neurosurgical and spine management. Typical codes: BW2900Z
A 54-year-old female with a newly diagnosed parotid gland mass is admitted for preoperative workup and staging prior to planned surgical resection. The inpatient imaging protocol includes a contrast-enhanced CT of the head and neck with multiplanar reformats to delineate tumor extent, relationship to the facial nerve and adjacent vasculature, and to evaluate for regional lymphadenopathy. Low-osmolar iodinated contrast is used for enhanced vascular and soft tissue definition as part of the diagnostic planning. Typical codes: BW2910Z, BW291ZZ
A 45-year-old male with a history of complicated deep neck space infection treated previously presents with recurrent neck swelling and concern for residual abscess versus post-treatment scarring. The inpatient team performs a CT scan of the head and neck with multiplanar reformats including both unenhanced and contrast-enhanced phases to differentiate enhancing granulation tissue from fluid collection and to plan possible repeat drainage. Imaging uses other contrast as documented in the record to optimize soft-tissue characterization for procedural planning. Typical codes: BW29Y0Z, BW29YZZ

Related Codes

BW20-ABDOMEN-COMPUTERIZED-TOMOGRAPHY

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

BW21-ABDOMEN-AND-PELVIS-CT

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

BW24-CHEST-AND-ABDOMEN-COMPUTERIZED-TOMOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Chest And Abdomen: Procedure Code Group Overview

BW25-CHEST-ABDOMEN-AND-PELVIS-COMPUTERIZED-TOMOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Chest Abdomen And Pelvis: Procedure Code Group Overview

BW28-HEAD-COMPUTERIZED-TOMOGRAPHY

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

BW2F-NECK-COMPUTERIZED-TOMOGRAPHY

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

BW2G-PELVIC-REGION-COMPUTERIZED-TOMOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Pelvic Region: 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

7 rows

ICD-10-PCS Code	Description
BW2900Z	Computerized Tomography (CT Scan) of Head and Neck using High Osmolar Contrast, Unenhanced and Enhanced
BW290ZZ	Computerized Tomography (CT Scan) of Head and Neck using High Osmolar Contrast
BW2910Z	Computerized Tomography (CT Scan) of Head and Neck using Low Osmolar Contrast, Unenhanced and Enhanced
BW291ZZ	Computerized Tomography (CT Scan) of Head and Neck using Low Osmolar Contrast
BW29Y0Z	Computerized Tomography (CT Scan) of Head and Neck using Other Contrast, Unenhanced and Enhanced
BW29YZZ	Computerized Tomography (CT Scan) of Head and Neck using Other Contrast
BW29ZZZ	Computerized Tomography (CT Scan) of Head and Neck

Typical Clinical Scenarios

A 68-year-old male is admitted through the emergency department after a motor vehicle collision with suspected basal skull fracture and persistent confusion. The inpatient team orders cross-sectional imaging with reformatted multiplanar CT of the head and neck to assess for skull base fractures, intracranial hemorrhage, and cervical spine injury; both noncontrast and contrast-enhanced phases are performed due to concern for vascular injury. The study generates reformatted digital displays from multiple external ionizing radiation exposures to guide urgent neurosurgical and spine management. Typical codes: BW2900Z
A 54-year-old female with a newly diagnosed parotid gland mass is admitted for preoperative workup and staging prior to planned surgical resection. The inpatient imaging protocol includes a contrast-enhanced CT of the head and neck with multiplanar reformats to delineate tumor extent, relationship to the facial nerve and adjacent vasculature, and to evaluate for regional lymphadenopathy. Low-osmolar iodinated contrast is used for enhanced vascular and soft tissue definition as part of the diagnostic planning. Typical codes: BW2910Z, BW291ZZ
A 45-year-old male with a history of complicated deep neck space infection treated previously presents with recurrent neck swelling and concern for residual abscess versus post-treatment scarring. The inpatient team performs a CT scan of the head and neck with multiplanar reformats including both unenhanced and contrast-enhanced phases to differentiate enhancing granulation tissue from fluid collection and to plan possible repeat drainage. Imaging uses other contrast as documented in the record to optimize soft-tissue characterization for procedural planning. Typical codes: BW29Y0Z, BW29YZZ

Related Codes

BW20-ABDOMEN-COMPUTERIZED-TOMOGRAPHY

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

BW21-ABDOMEN-AND-PELVIS-CT

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

BW24-CHEST-AND-ABDOMEN-COMPUTERIZED-TOMOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Chest And Abdomen: Procedure Code Group Overview

BW25-CHEST-ABDOMEN-AND-PELVIS-COMPUTERIZED-TOMOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Chest Abdomen And Pelvis: Procedure Code Group Overview

BW28-HEAD-COMPUTERIZED-TOMOGRAPHY

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

BW2F-NECK-COMPUTERIZED-TOMOGRAPHY

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

BW2G-PELVIC-REGION-COMPUTERIZED-TOMOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Pelvic Region: 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.

ICD-10-PCS Code For Head And Neck: Procedure Code Group Overview

Sign up for ICD-10-PCS Code For Head And Neck: Procedure Code Group Overview policy alerts

Head And Neck Computerized Tomography Procedure Overview

Code Attributes

ICD-10-PCS Code For Head And Neck: Procedure Code Group Overview

Sign up for ICD-10-PCS Code For Head And Neck: Procedure Code Group Overview policy alerts

Head And Neck Computerized Tomography Procedure Overview

Code Attributes

When to Use

ICD-10-PCS Codes

Typical Clinical Scenarios

Related Codes

Which procedures are included in the ICD-10-PCS BW29 group?

What operation and body part attributes define BW29 codes?

How do BW29 codes relate to contrast use in CT of the head and neck?

When should BW29 ICD-10-PCS codes be used in inpatient documentation?

Do any related DRGs exist for the BW29 procedure group?

References

When to Use

ICD-10-PCS Codes

Typical Clinical Scenarios

Related Codes

Which procedures are included in the ICD-10-PCS BW29 group?

What operation and body part attributes define BW29 codes?

How do BW29 codes relate to contrast use in CT of the head and neck?

When should BW29 ICD-10-PCS codes be used in inpatient documentation?

Do any related DRGs exist for the BW29 procedure group?

References