Summary & Overview
CPT 0072T: MRgFUS Thermal Ablation of Uterine Fibroids ≥200 cc
CPT code 0072T identifies magnetic resonance imaging guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) for thermal ablation of noncancerous uterine leiomyomata with a treated volume of 200 cc or greater. This code captures a minimally invasive, image-guided alternative to surgical procedures for symptomatic uterine fibroids and is significant for payers and providers as adoption of MRgFUS may affect utilization patterns, imaging resource needs, and care pathways for fibroid management.
Key payers considered in national coverage discussions include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a clinical and coding overview of the procedure, typical sites of service, and the context needed to interpret coverage and billing interactions. The publication presents benchmarks and policy-relevant points such as payer coverage trends, utilization considerations for an MR-based procedural service, and implications for ambulatory imaging and surgical centers that host MRI-guided interventions.
This summary equips clinical leaders, billing managers, and policy analysts with the essential framing of CPT code 0072T, including what the code represents, where the procedure is typically performed, and the topics addressed in the full report (coverage patterns, coding guidance, and clinical context). Data not available in the input is noted where specific payer policies or utilization statistics would otherwise be cited.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 0072T describes a therapeutic, image-guided procedure: magnetic resonance imaging guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) to heat and destroy a noncancerous uterine leiomyomata (uterine fibroids) when the total treated volume is 200 cc or greater. The procedure is performed with the patient positioned inside a magnetic resonance imaging scanner that monitors temperature and guides energy delivery to the precise location of the leiomyomata.
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Service type: Image-guided thermal ablation of uterine fibroids (MRgFUS)
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Typical site of service: Outpatient or ambulatory imaging/surgical center with MRI capability; patient is inside an MRI scanner during the procedure.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 42-year-old woman with symptomatic uterine leiomyomata presents with heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pressure, and bulk symptoms refractory to medical management. Pelvic MRI demonstrates multiple fibroids with one dominant intramural/submucosal fibroid and a combined uterine leiomyomata volume of 200 cc or greater. After multidisciplinary evaluation by an interventional radiologist or gynecologic surgeon and pre-procedure MRI planning, the patient is scheduled for magnetic resonance imaging guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) in an outpatient MR suite. The patient arrives fasting, undergoes pre-procedure consent and safety screening for MRI (implants, claustrophobia), IV access, and baseline vitals. During the procedure the patient lies supine inside the MRI scanner while the team uses real-time MR thermography to target and thermally ablate fibroid tissue. Sedation or conscious sedation is provided per facility protocol and anesthesia support may be present for monitored anesthesia care. Post-procedure MRI sequences confirm non-perfused volume within the treated fibroid(s). The patient is observed in recovery for hemodynamic stability and pain control, receives discharge instructions, and outpatient follow-up is arranged for symptom assessment and interval imaging.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
00 | No modifier (default) | Use when no special circumstances apply. |
22 | Increased procedural services | Use when work or time substantially exceeds typical for 0072T and documentation supports unusual effort. |
23 | Unusual anesthesia | Use if general anesthesia or unusually deep anesthesia was required for a non-anesthesia-designated procedure. |
52 | Reduced services | Use when a planned full MRgFUS treatment is partially reduced or incomplete for clinical reasons. |
53 | Discontinued procedure | Use when the procedure is started but terminated due to patient instability, equipment failure, or other intra-procedural complications. |
62 | Two surgeons | Use when two surgeons with distinct skill sets are required and both actively participate in the procedure. |
66 | Surgical team approach | Use when a team of surgeons performs the procedure, documented per payer rules. |
73 | Discontinued outpatient procedure prior to anesthesia induction | Use when the outpatient MRgFUS is cancelled after patient preparation but before anesthesia. |
78 | Unplanned return to the operating/procedure room | Use for return to procedure room for related complication during the global period. |
80 | Assistant surgeon | Use when an assistant surgeon is documented and payer allows payment for assistant services. |
81 | Minimum assistant surgeon | Use when documented as a minimum assistant per payer policy. |
82 | Assistant (unplanned) | Use when an assistant surgeon was required but not pre-arranged. |
AD | Regional anesthesia | Use when regional block is provided and separately reportable according to payer rules. |
| Taxonomy Code | Specialty | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 207P00000X | Interventional Radiology | Common specialty performing MR-guided focused ultrasound procedures. |
| 207V00000X | Diagnostic Radiology | Radiologists often provide image guidance and interpretation for MRgFUS. |
| 207C00000X | Obstetrics & Gynecology | Gynecologic surgeons may refer, co-manage, or perform MRgFUS in some centers. |
Related Diagnoses
| ICD-10 Code | Description | Clinical Relevance |
|---|---|---|
D25.9 | Leiomyoma of uterus, unspecified | General code for uterine fibroids; primary indication for 0072T. |
D25.0 | Submucous leiomyoma of uterus | Submucosal fibroids that can cause heavy bleeding, frequently treated with MRgFUS when appropriate. |
D25.1 | Intramural leiomyoma of uterus | Intramural fibroids contributing to bulk symptoms; common target for MRgFUS. |
D25.2 | Subserosal leiomyoma of uterus | Subserosal fibroids causing pressure symptoms; may be included in volume criteria for treatment. |
N92.0 | Excessive and frequent menstruation with regular cycle | Symptom code for menorrhagia often associated with fibroids and a common clinical reason for treatment. |
Related CPT Codes
| CPT Code | Description | Relationship to This Procedure |
|---|---|---|
0072T | Magnetic resonance imaging guided focused ultrasound to treat uterine leiomyomata with total volume ≥200 cc (single session) | Principal procedure code describing MRgFUS for uterine fibroids. |
72197 | Magnetic resonance imaging, pelvic, therapeutic or for guidance for interventional procedure; diagnostic evaluation and guidance | Used when MR imaging guidance and intra-procedural MR sequences are billed in conjunction with MRgFUS if payer policy allows. |
99143 | Anesthesia for diagnostic or minor surgical procedures of short duration (example code for moderate sedation) | Represents potential anesthesia or sedation services provided during MRgFUS when billed separately per payer rules. |
76937 | Ultrasound guidance for vascular access requiring image documentation, with permanent recording and reporting | Occasionally used for adjunct image-guided vascular access or monitoring if ultrasound-guided IV or other access is documented and billable. |
99152 | Moderate sedation services by the same physician performing the procedure (initial 15 minutes) | Used when moderate conscious sedation is provided by the proceduralist and reported per CPT definitions. |