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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesDiagnostic Radiology (Diagnostic Imaging) Procedures of the Head and NeckCPT cpt-70030-eye-xray-foreign-body-evaluation
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    CPT 70030: Orbital X‑ray for Foreign Body Evaluation

    Medicare pays $23 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 70030 describes a plain radiographic examination of the eye and orbit performed to evaluate for the presence of a foreign body; the service is an diagnostic X‑ray procedure typically provided as an imaging service in an ambulatory radiology suite, emergency department, or urgent care setting to localize metallic or radiopaque foreign material and assist clinical management.

    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 28-year-old construction worker presents to the emergency department after reporting sudden eye pain and foreign body sensation following a nail-sparking incident at a job site. Triage notes mild tearing, localized conjunctival injection, and difficulty opening the affected eye. Visual acuity is assessed and grossly intact. A focused ophthalmic exam by the emergency physician and on-call ophthalmologist is performed. Because a retained metallic or radiopaque foreign body is suspected in the globe or orbit and slit-lamp inspection is limited by patient discomfort, a plain radiograph of the orbit is ordered to detect the presence, size, and approximate location of a foreign body.

    The imaging study is performed in the radiology department or ED imaging suite using technique appropriate for orbital radiographs. The radiology technologist documents views obtained and any patient limitations. The interpreting provider (radiologist or ophthalmologist) reviews images, documents findings (presence/absence of foreign body, laterality, radiopacity, size estimate, and recommendations), and communicates urgent positive findings directly to the treating clinician for removal planning. The final radiology report is posted to the chart and included in the encounter documentation for coding and billing.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    70030Radiologic examination, orbit; single view, for foreign bodyPrimary code for a plain X-ray of the eye/orbit to detect a foreign body
    70031Radiologic examination, orbit; two views, for foreign bodyPerformed when additional orthogonal view is needed to localize a foreign body
    76514Ultrasound, ocular and orbital; completeMay be performed adjunctively to evaluate globe integrity or intraocular foreign bodies not radiopaque
    92100Ophthalmic ultrasound, diagnostic; B-scan and quantitative A-scan when performedAlternate ultrasound code used by ophthalmology for intraocular evaluation
    69210Removal foreign body, external eye; without general anesthesiaProcedural code for bedside removal of superficial external ocular foreign bodies following imaging

    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…
    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…
    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…
    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…
    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
    207W00000X
    207K00000X
    2085R0202X
    363L00000X
    133VN1006X
    385HR2060X
    332BX2000X
    163WN0003X

    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-70015-BASAL-CISTERN-BRAIN-IMAGING-SUPERVISION-INTERPRETATION

    CPT 70015: Basal Cistern Brain Imaging, Supervision and Interpretation

    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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