CPT 0947T: MR-Guided Low-Intensity Focused Ultrasound for Blood–Brain Barrier Disruption

CPT code 0947T represents an MR-guided, low-intensity focused ultrasound procedure intended to disrupt the blood–brain barrier in a targeted brain region and to enhance local concentrations of blood-based biomarkers using microbubble resonators. The procedure is notable for combining advanced imaging, focused ultrasound energy, and microbubble augmentation to facilitate biomarker delivery or sampling and potentially improve diagnostic or therapeutic approaches in neurology and neuro-oncology. Nationally, this code signals growing adoption of image-guided, noninvasive neurosurgical techniques that intersect diagnostics and therapeutics.

Key payers covered in the analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of clinical context, service and site-of-care implications, and the typical billing considerations associated with this emerging procedure. The publication outlines benchmark topics such as utilization patterns, coverage policy trends, and coding interactions relevant to providers, payers, and health systems. Clinical context addresses the procedure's role in targeted blood–brain barrier disruption and biomarker concentration enhancement. Where detailed payer or policy data are not provided in the input, the text notes that information is not available rather than inferring specifics.

Billing Code Overview

CPT code 0947T describes a procedure using MR-guided low-intensity focused ultrasound to disrupt the blood–brain barrier in a targeted brain region. The technique employs microbubble resonators to increase local concentrations of blood-based biomarkers at the treatment site. Stereotactic navigation and frame placement may be included if performed.

Service type: Image-guided therapeutic neurosurgical procedure focused on blood–brain barrier disruption

Typical site of service: Hospital outpatient department or ambulatory surgical center with MRI capability and stereotactic neurosurgery support

Data not available in the input.

Clinical Context

A 68-year-old patient with mild cognitive impairment and clinical suspicion for early Alzheimer disease is referred for an investigational MR-guided low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) procedure to transiently disrupt the blood–brain barrier (BBB) at a targeted hippocampal region to enhance local concentration of blood-based biomarkers. The pre-procedure workflow includes neurologic consultation, informed consent detailing investigational nature and risks, preoperative MRI for stereotactic planning, anesthesia evaluation, and placement of a stereotactic frame or head fixation device. On the day of service, the patient undergoes MR-guided LIFU with intravenous microbubble contrast administration; intra-procedural MRI sequences confirm target localization and BBB disruption. Post-procedure monitoring in the recovery area includes neurologic assessment and a post-procedure MRI to document the treatment effect. Imaging and professional components may be billed separately if applicable.

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`22`	Increased procedural services	Use when work required is substantially greater than typical for the procedure due to complexity or complications.
`26`	Professional component

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
2084P0800X	Neurology	Neurologists evaluate indications and follow-up for BBB disruption therapies and biomarker testing.
207RG0300X	Diagnostic Radiology	Radiologists perform MR planning, image guidance, and interpretation of intra- and post-procedure imaging.
363LF0000X	Interventional Radiology	Interventional radiologists or neuroradiologists may perform MR-guided focused ultrasound procedures and stereotactic navigation.
2086S0105X	Neurosurgery	Neurosurgeons may perform stereotactic frame placement and procedural oversight for intracranial interventions.
363A00000X	Anesthesiology	Anesthesiologists provide monitored anesthesia or sedation for patient immobility and comfort during MR-guided procedures.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`G31.84`	Mild cognitive impairment, so stated	Common indication when the procedure is performed as part of diagnostic biomarker enhancement or investigational therapy in early cognitive decline.
`G30.0`	Alzheimer disease with early onset	Potential investigational indication for targeted BBB disruption to aid in biomarker sampling or therapeutic delivery in Alzheimer disease.
`G30.1`	Alzheimer disease with late onset	As above, relevant for diagnostic enhancement or investigational therapeutic approaches.
`F02.80`	Dementia in other diseases classified elsewhere without behavioral disturbance	May be listed when dementia is secondary to another neurologic condition being evaluated with biomarker augmentation.
`R41.3`	Other amnesia	Used when memory impairment is a primary clinical feature prompting advanced diagnostic procedures including targeted BBB disruption for biomarker collection.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`70553`	Magnetic resonance (MR) brain with and without contrast; including diffusion, perfusion when performed	Pre- and post-procedure diagnostic and planning MRI sequences used for target localization and treatment verification.
`61783`	Stereotactic radiosurgery, non–invasive, when performed — initially listed for intracranial lesion localization (note: included here for workflow relevance)	May relate to stereotactic planning/targeting workflows; some stereotactic navigation techniques overlap in preprocedural planning.
`76937`	Ultrasound guidance for vascular access requiring imaging documentation	Used for ultrasound guidance at intravenous access sites for microbubble administration when documented and billed separately.
`99152`	Moderate sedation services provided by the same physician performing the diagnostic or therapeutic service (initial 15–30 minutes)	If moderate sedation is provided by the proceduralist, moderate sedation services may be reported per payer rules.
`76376`	3D rendering with interpretation and reporting of CT, MRI, ultrasound, or other tomographic modality	Advanced 3D planning and visualization services for accurate targeting and navigation when applicable.

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Summary & Overview