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    OpenPayerBilling CodesDiagnostic Radiology (Diagnostic Imaging) Procedures of the Head and NeckCPT cpt-70015-basal-cistern-brain-imaging-supervision-interpretation
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    CPT 70015: Basal Cistern Brain Imaging, Supervision and Interpretation

    Medicare pays $111 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 70015 describes the imaging supervision and interpretation of diagnostic imaging focused on the basal cistern of the brain to evaluate cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow and related pathology; service type is diagnostic neuroradiology imaging interpretation and the typical site of service is an outpatient radiology or hospital imaging suite.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Clinical Review Criteria Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring (IONM), Remote Electrical Neuromodulation for Migraines (i.e., Nerivio®), Lumbar Microdiscectomy.

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 58-year-old patient presents to the emergency department with acute headache, nausea, altered mental status, and concern for obstructive hydrocephalus. The treating team requests evaluation of cerebrospinal fluid flow dynamics and assessment of the basal cisterns to exclude acute subarachnoid hemorrhage or aqueductal obstruction. The radiology department schedules an imaging study that requires provider supervision and interpretation focused on the basal cisterns of the brain. The clinical workflow includes: patient check-in and screening for contraindications to imaging, history and focused neurologic exam documented by the ordering clinician, radiology technologist performing the imaging acquisition (such as CT or MRI sequences targeted to the basal cisterns and CSF spaces), and the interpreting physician performing real-time supervision as needed and producing a formal diagnostic report with impressions and measurements relevant to CSF flow and cisternal patency. The final report is routed to the ordering physician and documented in the medical record for disposition decisions such as neurosurgical consultation, additional imaging (contrast-enhanced studies or phase-contrast MRI), or observation.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    70551Magnetic resonance imaging, brain (including brain stem); without contrast materialMay be performed to evaluate basal cisterns and CSF spaces when MRI is preferred for soft-tissue detail.
    70553Magnetic resonance imaging, brain (including brain stem); without and with contrast materialPerformed when contrast is needed to evaluate vascular or leptomeningeal disease affecting cisterns.
    70486Computed tomography, head or brain; without contrast material, followed by contrast material and further sectionsCT variant for noncontrast and contrast studies to evaluate hemorrhage and cisternal effacement.
    70540Magnetic resonance imaging, brain, with contrast onlyUsed when a focused contrast-enhanced study of cisterns is ordered in addition to noncontrast sequences.
    72125Magnetic resonance imaging, spinal canal and contents, lumbar; without contrastMay be used if evaluation extends to spinal CSF flow dynamics in suspected communicating hydrocephalus.

    Related Modifiers

    7 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    26Modifier 26 (Professional Component) identifies and bills only the professional portion of a split service — the physician’s interpretation, report, and medical judgment — when the technical…- Use CPT Modifier -26 when you are billing only the professional component (PC) of a split‑bill eligible service—i.e., you performed the physician interpretation, medical judgment and prepared a…
    52Modifier ‑52 (Reduced Services) indicates that a service or procedure was partially reduced or omitted at the provider’s discretion, allowing reporting of the basic procedure number with a qualifier…- Use modifier -52 when a physician or qualified health professional electively reduces or omits part of a procedure or service (for example, performing fewer required views or omitting a portion of…
    53Modifier 53 (Discontinued Procedure) signals that a surgical or diagnostic service was begun by the physician but terminated because of extenuating circumstances that threatened the patient’s…- Use modifier -53 when a physician/qualified healthcare professional has started a surgical or diagnostic procedure (e.g., anesthesia administered, incision or scope insertion) and then discontinues…
    76Modifier -76, Repeat Procedure or Service by Same Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional, is appended when the same provider performs an identical, medically necessary procedure or…- Use modifier -76 when the same physician or other qualified health care professional performs an identical procedure or service a second (or subsequent) time on the same date of service and the…
    77Modifier 77 indicates that a previously performed procedure or service was legitimately repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional. The AMA’s CPT definition…- Use modifier 77 when a basic procedure or service already performed is repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional (for example, a second provider independently…
    59Modifier 59 indicates a distinct procedural service when two procedures that are not normally billed together are clinically and procedurally separate. The CPT definition (as reiterated by CMS)…- Use modifier -59 to report a distinct procedural service when documentation supports that the procedure reported is not normally billed together with another service on the same day because of a…
    22Modifier –22 (Increased Procedural Services) is used when a reported procedure is substantially more extensive than normally required. The CPT Manual and CMS state it may be appended only when the…- When to use: Append modifier -22 to a procedural CPT code when the service performed is substantially more extensive than the usual service described by that code — i.e., the procedure required…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    2086S0102X
    2084P0800X
    2084N0400X
    207RC0000X
    183700000X
    207LP3000X
    207T00000X
    315D00000X

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Neurology/Neurosurgery1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Clinical Review Criteria Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring (IONM)Kaiser Permanente2027-01-01
    Remote Electrical Neuromodulation for Migraines (i.e., Nerivio®)bcbsvermont2026-11-01
    Lumbar Microdiscectomyuniverahealthcare2026-10-15
    Artificial Cervical Intervertebral Discuniverahealthcare2026-10-15
    Lumbar Decompressionuniverahealthcare2026-10-15
    Responsive Neurostimulation for Focal EpilepsyPremera Bluecross2026-10-14
    Intraoperative MonitoringProvidence Health Plan2026-10-01
    Intraoperative MonitoringProvidence Health Plan2026-10-01
    High-Intensity Focused UltrasoundMass General Brigham Health Plan2026-10-01
    Vagal Nerve StimulationAmbetter Nevada2026-10-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-70010-POSTERIOR-CRANIAL-FOSSA-CONTRAST-IMAGING-INTERPRETATION

    CPT 70010: CT Posterior Cranial Fossa With Contrast

    CPT-70030-EYE-XRAY-FOREIGN-BODY-EVALUATION

    CPT 70030: Orbital X‑ray for Foreign Body Evaluation

    CPT-70100-MANDIBLE-X-RAY-ONE-TO-THREE-VIEWS

    CPT 70100: Mandible X‑ray, 1–3 Views

    CPT-70110-MANDIBLE-X-RAY-4-OR-MORE-VIEWS

    CPT 70110: Mandible X‑ray, Four or More Views

    CPT-70120-MASTOID-X-RAY-FEWER-THAN-3-VIEWS

    CPT 70120: Mastoid X‑ray, Limited (fewer than 3 views per side)

    CPT-70130-MASTOID-X-RAY-SERIES-MASTOIDITIS-VESTIBULAR-EVALUATION

    CPT 70130: Mastoid X‑ray, Minimum Three Views Per Side

    CPT-70134-INTERNAL-AUDITORY-CANAL-RADIOGRAPHY

    CPT 70134: X‑ray of Internal Auditory Canals and Temporal Bone

    CPT-70140-FACIAL-BONES-XRAY-FEWER-THAN-THREE-VIEWS

    CPT 70140: Facial Bones X‑Ray, Fewer Than Three Views

    CPT-70150-FACIAL-BONES-XRAY-THREE-VIEWS

    CPT 70150: Facial Bones X‑ray, Three Views

    CPT-70160-NASAL-BONES-XRAY-THREE-OR-MORE-VIEWS

    CPT 70160: Nasal Bones X‑ray, Three or More Views

    Showing 1–10 of 66

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 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. 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. 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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