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    OpenPayerBilling CodesDiagnostic Radiology (Diagnostic Imaging) Procedures of the Head and NeckCPT cpt-70134-internal-auditory-canal-radiography
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    CPT 70134: X‑ray of Internal Auditory Canals and Temporal Bone

    Medicare pays $42 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 70134 describes plain radiographic imaging of the internal auditory canals and adjacent skull base structures intended to evaluate the hearing apparatus for anatomic abnormalities; this service is diagnostic radiology imaging typically performed as a single-view or multi-view X-ray study in an outpatient radiology department, hospital radiology suite, or dedicated imaging center to assess bony anatomy of the internal auditory canal and surrounding temporal bone.

    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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    Table of contents

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A patient in their mid-40s presents to the otolaryngology clinic with progressive unilateral hearing loss and intermittent tinnitus after a prior head injury. The otolaryngologist performs a focused history and physical exam including otoscopy and bedside audiometry. Given asymmetric sensorineural hearing loss and concern for anatomic abnormality of the internal auditory canal (IAC) or vestibulocochlear apparatus, the provider orders plain radiographs of the internal auditory canals to evaluate for osseous abnormalities, congenital malformations, or post‑traumatic changes. The procedure is performed in a radiology suite or outpatient imaging center by a radiologic technologist under supervision of the interpreting physician. Images are acquired using dedicated skull base projections that visualize the petrous temporal bone and internal auditory canals. The interpreting physician (otolaryngologist or diagnostic radiologist) reviews images, documents findings in the medical record, and communicates results to the referring clinician for integration into the diagnostic and treatment plan (for example, further cross‑sectional imaging such as CT temporal bone or MRI internal auditory canals if indicated). Typical site of service is an outpatient radiology department, hospital radiology suite, or freestanding imaging center. This procedure is commonly ordered for patients with asymmetric hearing loss, chronic otologic symptoms, suspected fracture of the temporal bone, or congenital hearing abnormalities.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    70134Radiologic examination, internal auditory canals, plain filmPrimary procedure: plain radiographic evaluation of the internal auditory canals
    70486CT scan, head or brain; without contrast materialOften performed after plain films if detailed bony anatomy or fractures require cross‑sectional evaluation
    70553MRI, brain (including brain stem); without contrast material; with contrast materialMRI of internal auditory canals and cerebellopontine angle is commonly performed for suspected vestibular schwannoma or nerve pathology
    92557Comprehensive audiometry threshold evaluation and speech recognitionAudiometric testing frequently performed before or alongside imaging to quantify hearing loss
    69210Removal of impacted cerumen (requiring instrumentation)Performed prior to imaging or otologic exam if cerumen obstructs visualization and assessment

    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…
    50Modifier –50 (Bilateral Procedure) is appended to a CPT code when an identical procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures during the same operative session. The AMA states to add…- Use modifier -50 when the same CPT surgical, diagnostic, or radiology procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures (both sides of the body) during the same operative/session by the same…
    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…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207Y00000X
    261QM0801X
    163WX1500X
    163WM0102X
    2088P0231X
    103G00000X
    207ZI0100X
    332100000X

    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-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-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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