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

The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Procedure Coding System (ICD-10-PCS) code group BW38 includes procedures performed to image anatomical structures in the head using magnetic resonance imaging. These ICD-10-PCS codes are used for inpatient documentation when magnetic resonance imaging of the head is performed to evaluate neurologic, vascular, inflammatory, neoplastic, or traumatic conditions. Accurate coding within the ICD-10-PCS BW38 group is essential for proper inpatient reimbursement, as it captures the specific imaging procedure performed and supports clinical documentation accuracy.

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Head Magnetic Resonance Imaging Procedure Overview

This procedure group includes magnetic resonance imaging of the head, a modality that captures radiofrequency signals from nuclei in a magnetic field to produce multiplanar digital images. Procedures in this group target the anatomical regions of the head, including brain and adjacent structures, and are used to evaluate a wide range of intracranial and extracranial conditions. Accurate ICD-10-PCS coding for these imaging procedures supports correct inpatient documentation and appropriate reimbursement by reflecting the precise imaging modality and anatomic focus.

Code Attributes

Character	ICD-10-PCS Category	Code Group Details
B	Section	Imaging
W	Body System	Anatomical Regions
3	Operation	Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
8	Body Part	Head

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

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Head Magnetic Resonance Imaging Procedure Overview

Code Attributes

Character	ICD-10-PCS Category	Code Group Details
B	Section	Imaging
W	Body System	Anatomical Regions
3	Operation	Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
8	Body Part	Head

When to Use

Use a code from this group when an inpatient receives magnetic resonance imaging of the head to assess conditions such as stroke, tumor, infection, demyelination, or trauma. Select the code that matches the specific head MRI procedure and any documented image reformatting performed.

ICD-10-PCS Codes

3 rows

ICD-10-PCS Code	Description
BW38Y0Z	Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of Head using Other Contrast, Unenhanced and Enhanced
BW38YZZ	Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of Head using Other Contrast
BW38ZZZ	Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of Head

Typical Clinical Scenarios

An elderly patient is admitted to the hospital with sudden-onset left-sided weakness and facial droop after arrival from home; acute ischemic stroke is suspected and inpatient evaluation includes neuroimaging to assess for territory of infarction, hemorrhage, and potential thrombolysis eligibility. A head MRI is performed to provide high-resolution multiplanar images of the brain and adjacent head structures to identify ischemic changes and guide management. Typical codes: BW38ZZZ
A middle-aged patient with a known primary brain neoplasm is admitted electively for preoperative planning before craniotomy; detailed anatomic delineation of tumor extent, relation to eloquent cortex, and surgical approach is required. A contrast-enhanced head MRI with computer-reformatted multiplanar sequences is obtained to characterize lesion enhancement and surrounding vasogenic edema for operative mapping. Typical codes: BW38Y0Z, BW38YZZ
A hospitalized patient develops new-onset severe headache and fever after recent sinus infection, raising concern for intracranial abscess or meningitis; inpatient clinicians order advanced imaging to evaluate for focal intracranial collection and associated mass effect. A head MRI—often with and without contrast and reformatted multiplanar views—is performed to detect abscess cavity, rim enhancement, and adjacent edema guiding further intervention. Typical codes: BW38Y0Z, BW38ZZZ

Related Codes

BW30-ABDOMEN-MAGNETIC-RESONANCE-IMAGING

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

BW33-CHEST-MAGNETIC-RESONANCE-IMAGING

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

BW3F-NECK-MAGNETIC-RESONANCE-IMAGING

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

BW3G-PELVIC-REGION-MAGNETIC-RESONANCE-IMAGING

ICD-10-PCS Code For Pelvic Region: Procedure Code Group Overview

BW3H-RETROPERITONEUM-MAGNETIC-RESONANCE-IMAGING

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

BW3P-BRACHIAL-PLEXUS-MAGNETIC-RESONANCE-IMAGING

ICD-10-PCS Code For Brachial Plexus: 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

3 rows

ICD-10-PCS Code	Description
BW38Y0Z	Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of Head using Other Contrast, Unenhanced and Enhanced
BW38YZZ	Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of Head using Other Contrast
BW38ZZZ	Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of Head

Typical Clinical Scenarios

An elderly patient is admitted to the hospital with sudden-onset left-sided weakness and facial droop after arrival from home; acute ischemic stroke is suspected and inpatient evaluation includes neuroimaging to assess for territory of infarction, hemorrhage, and potential thrombolysis eligibility. A head MRI is performed to provide high-resolution multiplanar images of the brain and adjacent head structures to identify ischemic changes and guide management. Typical codes: BW38ZZZ
A middle-aged patient with a known primary brain neoplasm is admitted electively for preoperative planning before craniotomy; detailed anatomic delineation of tumor extent, relation to eloquent cortex, and surgical approach is required. A contrast-enhanced head MRI with computer-reformatted multiplanar sequences is obtained to characterize lesion enhancement and surrounding vasogenic edema for operative mapping. Typical codes: BW38Y0Z, BW38YZZ
A hospitalized patient develops new-onset severe headache and fever after recent sinus infection, raising concern for intracranial abscess or meningitis; inpatient clinicians order advanced imaging to evaluate for focal intracranial collection and associated mass effect. A head MRI—often with and without contrast and reformatted multiplanar views—is performed to detect abscess cavity, rim enhancement, and adjacent edema guiding further intervention. Typical codes: BW38Y0Z, BW38ZZZ

Related Codes

BW30-ABDOMEN-MAGNETIC-RESONANCE-IMAGING

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

BW33-CHEST-MAGNETIC-RESONANCE-IMAGING

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

BW3F-NECK-MAGNETIC-RESONANCE-IMAGING

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

BW3G-PELVIC-REGION-MAGNETIC-RESONANCE-IMAGING

ICD-10-PCS Code For Pelvic Region: Procedure Code Group Overview

BW3H-RETROPERITONEUM-MAGNETIC-RESONANCE-IMAGING

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

BW3P-BRACHIAL-PLEXUS-MAGNETIC-RESONANCE-IMAGING

ICD-10-PCS Code For Brachial Plexus: 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: Procedure Code Group Overview

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

Head Magnetic Resonance Imaging Procedure Overview

Code Attributes

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

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

Head Magnetic Resonance Imaging Procedure Overview

Code Attributes

When to Use

ICD-10-PCS Codes

Typical Clinical Scenarios

Related Codes

What procedures are included in ICD-10-PCS code group BW38?

What is the operation and body part specified for BW38 codes?

Which specific ICD-10-PCS codes are listed in the BW38 group?

How does accurate coding in BW38 affect reimbursement and documentation?

For what clinical indications are BW38 MRI head procedures used?

References

When to Use

ICD-10-PCS Codes

Typical Clinical Scenarios

Related Codes

What procedures are included in ICD-10-PCS code group BW38?

What is the operation and body part specified for BW38 codes?

Which specific ICD-10-PCS codes are listed in the BW38 group?

How does accurate coding in BW38 affect reimbursement and documentation?

For what clinical indications are BW38 MRI head procedures used?

References