Summary & Overview
CPT 62302: Lumbar Contrast Injection with Cervical Myelography, Radiological Interpretation
CPT code 62302 represents a combined diagnostic spinal procedure: injection of contrast into the lumbar spine with myelographic imaging of the cervical region, including radiological supervision and interpretation. This code is used for specialized neuroradiology evaluations when contrast-enhanced myelography is required to assess cervical spinal pathology while accessing contrast via a lumbar puncture. Nationally, it matters because it captures a bundled diagnostic service that involves image-guided contrast administration and interpretation, with implications for coding accuracy and appropriate site-of-service designation.
Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of clinical context, common billing considerations, and benchmarking elements relevant to this procedural code. The publication outlines typical settings where the service is provided, common modifiers encountered in practice, and the potential impact on claim submission and adjudication. It also highlights areas where payers and providers commonly focus during medical necessity and documentation review. Data not available in the input is clearly noted where applicable.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 62302 describes a procedure in which the provider administers an injection of contrast into the lumbar region of the spine and performs myelography at the cervical region, with radiological supervision and interpretation. This service combines diagnostic contrast injection in the lumbar spine with imaging evaluation of the cervical spinal subarachnoid space.
-
Service type: Diagnostic radiological spinal procedure involving contrast injection and myelography
-
Typical site of service: Hospital outpatient department or dedicated radiology/imaging center
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 62-year-old patient presents with progressive lower extremity weakness, radicular lumbar pain, and intermittent bladder dysfunction. Conservative care including physical therapy and oral analgesics provided limited relief. The referring neurologist orders diagnostic myelography to evaluate suspected intradural pathology and to better visualize nerve root compression not clearly defined on MRI due to prior spinal hardware. The interventional radiology team schedules the procedure in an outpatient hospital radiology suite. The patient is positioned prone; the provider performs a lumbar puncture and injects intrathecal contrast at the lumbar level, then obtains fluoroscopic myelographic imaging of the cervical spine to evaluate for multi-level pathology and potential cerebrospinal fluid flow abnormalities. Radiological supervision and interpretation occur during image acquisition, and the provider documents informed consent, the level of lumbar access, contrast volume and agent, needle type, and post-procedure observations before discharge with follow-up instructions.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
26 | Professional component | Use when billing only the physician’s interpretation of the radiologic study separate from technical resources. |
TC |