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CPT 70150: Facial Bones X‑ray, Minimum Three Views

CPT code 70150 denotes a plain X-ray exam of the facial bones with a minimum of three views, used to detect facial fractures and other bony abnormalities. As a basic diagnostic radiology service, this code is widely used in emergency departments, trauma centers, outpatient imaging facilities, and hospital radiology departments, and it supports early diagnosis and triage of facial injuries nationally.

Key payers covered in this overview include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise explanation of the clinical purpose and typical settings for CPT code 70150, plus national benchmarking context where available. The publication outlines common billing considerations, typical sites of service, and the role this plain film exam plays in clinical pathways for facial trauma and preoperative assessment.

This resource is intended to help billing, clinical, and administrative audiences understand the code's clinical scope and how it fits into broader diagnostic imaging workflows. Data not provided in the input (for example, payer-specific reimbursement rates, detailed modifiers usage, and associated taxonomies) are noted as unavailable.

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Billing Code Overview

CPT code 70150 describes a plain radiographic examination of the facial bones. The procedure requires at least three views and is performed to evaluate facial fractures or other abnormalities of the facial skeleton.

Service type: Diagnostic radiology — plain film imaging of facial bones

Typical site of service: Radiology department, hospital outpatient imaging center, or freestanding imaging facility

Data not available in the input.

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CPT 70150: Facial Bones X‑ray, Minimum Three Views

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Billing Code Overview

Service type: Diagnostic radiology — plain film imaging of facial bones

Typical site of service: Radiology department, hospital outpatient imaging center, or freestanding imaging facility

Data not available in the input.

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A patient presents to the emergency department after a facial trauma event, such as a motor vehicle collision, fall, or physical assault, with facial pain, swelling, visible deformity, epistaxis, or periorbital ecchymosis. The emergency physician or trauma team performs an initial clinical evaluation including vital signs, airway assessment, and focused head and face exam. When suspicion for facial bone fracture persists after the exam, the provider orders a plain radiographic study of the facial bones. A radiologic technologist acquires at least three views of the facial bones per the imaging protocol. The interpreting radiologist reviews the images, documents the presence or absence of fractures or other abnormalities (eg, sinus opacification, foreign body), and issues a final report. Results guide subsequent care such as facial CT for complex injuries, ENT or maxillofacial surgery consultation, wound management, or discharge with follow-up.

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`26`	Professional component	Use when billing separately for the physician's interpretation if the facility bills technical component.
`TC`	Technical component	Use when billing only the equipment, technologist, and facility portion of the imaging service.
`RT`	Right side	Use to indicate procedure performed on the right side when laterality is relevant and reportable.
`LT`	Left side	Use to indicate procedure performed on the left side when laterality is relevant and reportable.
`59`	Distinct procedural service	Use when another procedure on a separate anatomic site or encounter warrants separate reporting, avoiding unbundling errors.
`22`	Increased procedural services	Use when work required is substantially greater than typically required, with documentation supporting unusual effort.
`52`	Reduced services	Use when the service is partially reduced or not completed as documented (eg, incomplete series of views).
`53`	Discontinued procedure	Use when the procedure is started but terminated due to patient condition or other valid reason.
`76`	Repeat procedure by same physician or other qualified provider	Use if the same imaging procedure is repeated for technical reasons or patient movement (note: `76` is not in provided list; not used)
`78`	Unplanned return to the operating/procedure room by the same physician following initial procedure for a related procedure during the postoperative period	Use only when applicable in procedural settings.
`62`	Two surgeons	Use when two surgeons are required and documentation supports shared physician work.
`50`	Bilateral procedure	Use when bilateral imaging is reported and payor requires modifier for bilateral service.
`23`	Unusual anesthesia	Use when general anesthesia is medically necessary for an otherwise non-anesthetized procedure.
`52`	Reduced services	Use when the study is limited and fewer views than typical were obtained.

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
`207Q00000X`	Diagnostic Radiology	Radiologists interpret facial bone radiographs.
`208000000X`	Emergency Medicine	Emergency physicians order and initially evaluate patients requiring imaging.
`207L00000X`	Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology	Specialists in maxillofacial imaging interpretation for complex facial injuries.
`2080P0200X`	Otolaryngology (ENT)	ENT surgeons assess and manage facial fractures and related injuries.
`207X00000X`	Surgery - General (Trauma Surgery)	Trauma surgeons coordinate evaluation and operative management when indicated.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`S02.401A`	Fracture of nasal bones, initial encounter for closed fracture	Nasal bone fracture frequently assessed with facial bone radiographs.
`S02.402A`	Fracture of nasal bones, initial encounter for open fracture	Open nasal fractures evaluated similarly; radiographs aid initial assessment.
`S02.6XXA`	Fracture of orbit, initial encounter for closed fracture	Suspected orbital floor or rim fractures commonly prompt facial series or CT.
`S02.5XXA`	Fracture of zygomatic bone, initial encounter for closed fracture	Zygomaticomaxillary complex injuries are a primary indication for facial bone imaging.
`S09.7XXXA`	Multiple injuries of head, initial encounter	Polytrauma patients often receive facial imaging as part of head and face evaluation.
`S00.83XA`	Contusion of other parts of head, initial encounter	Facial contusions with suspected underlying fracture may be evaluated with facial radiographs.
`T14.8XXA`	Injury of other specified body regions, initial encounter	Used for unspecified facial injury presentations when specific fracture code not yet identified.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`70150`	Radiologic examination, facial bones; minimum of 3 views	Primary code for plain X-ray evaluation of facial bones to assess for fractures or abnormalities.
`70486`	Computed tomography, maxillofacial, without contrast material	Advanced cross-sectional imaging used when plain films are inconclusive or complex fractures are suspected.
`70336`	Radiologic examination, nasal bones; minimum of 3 views	Often performed for isolated nasal trauma or in conjunction with facial bone series for focused evaluation.
`70492`	Computed tomography, maxillofacial, with and without contrast material	Used when vascular injury or complex soft-tissue assessment with and without contrast is required.
`99173`	Screening test of visual acuity, quantitative, bilateral	Common adjunct in facial trauma evaluation to document baseline visual status when orbital involvement is suspected.
`99283`	Emergency department visit, established patient, moderate complexity	Representative ED evaluation code commonly billed when patients present with trauma requiring imaging and urgent assessment.

CPT 70010: Posterior Cranial Fossa Contrast Imaging Interpretation

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: Plain X‑ray of Eye for Foreign Body Evaluation

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

CPT 70100: Mandible X‑ray, One to Three 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, fewer than 3 views per side

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

CPT 70130: Mastoid X‑Ray Series for Mastoiditis and Vestibular Evaluation

CPT-70134-INTERNAL-AUDITORY-CANAL-RADIOGRAPHY

CPT 70134: Radiography of Internal Auditory Canals, Diagnostic

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

CPT 70140: Facial Bones X-ray, Fewer Than 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.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Jul 29, 2026.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Jul 29, 2026.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Jul 29, 2026.

Published by

Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

Trek Health ingests and normalizes Transparency in Coverage data and payer policy updates to give provider organizations a clear view of how commercial reimbursement behaves across markets, payers, and services. Our platform transforms raw payer disclosures into structured intelligence that supports contract evaluation, payer negotiations, and service line strategy. By combining market benchmarks with ongoing policy visibility, Trek helps teams identify variability, risk, and opportunity in commercial reimbursement. The result is faster insight, stronger negotiating positions, and more informed financial decisions.

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`26`	Professional component	Use when billing separately for the physician's interpretation if the facility bills technical component.
`TC`	Technical component	Use when billing only the equipment, technologist, and facility portion of the imaging service.
`RT`	Right side	Use to indicate procedure performed on the right side when laterality is relevant and reportable.
`LT`	Left side	Use to indicate procedure performed on the left side when laterality is relevant and reportable.
`59`	Distinct procedural service	Use when another procedure on a separate anatomic site or encounter warrants separate reporting, avoiding unbundling errors.
`22`	Increased procedural services	Use when work required is substantially greater than typically required, with documentation supporting unusual effort.
`52`	Reduced services	Use when the service is partially reduced or not completed as documented (eg, incomplete series of views).
`53`	Discontinued procedure	Use when the procedure is started but terminated due to patient condition or other valid reason.
`76`	Repeat procedure by same physician or other qualified provider	Use if the same imaging procedure is repeated for technical reasons or patient movement (note: `76` is not in provided list; not used)
`78`	Unplanned return to the operating/procedure room by the same physician following initial procedure for a related procedure during the postoperative period	Use only when applicable in procedural settings.
`62`	Two surgeons	Use when two surgeons are required and documentation supports shared physician work.
`50`	Bilateral procedure	Use when bilateral imaging is reported and payor requires modifier for bilateral service.
`23`	Unusual anesthesia	Use when general anesthesia is medically necessary for an otherwise non-anesthetized procedure.
`52`	Reduced services	Use when the study is limited and fewer views than typical were obtained.

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
`207Q00000X`	Diagnostic Radiology	Radiologists interpret facial bone radiographs.
`208000000X`	Emergency Medicine	Emergency physicians order and initially evaluate patients requiring imaging.
`207L00000X`	Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology	Specialists in maxillofacial imaging interpretation for complex facial injuries.
`2080P0200X`	Otolaryngology (ENT)	ENT surgeons assess and manage facial fractures and related injuries.
`207X00000X`	Surgery - General (Trauma Surgery)	Trauma surgeons coordinate evaluation and operative management when indicated.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`S02.401A`	Fracture of nasal bones, initial encounter for closed fracture	Nasal bone fracture frequently assessed with facial bone radiographs.
`S02.402A`	Fracture of nasal bones, initial encounter for open fracture	Open nasal fractures evaluated similarly; radiographs aid initial assessment.
`S02.6XXA`	Fracture of orbit, initial encounter for closed fracture	Suspected orbital floor or rim fractures commonly prompt facial series or CT.
`S02.5XXA`	Fracture of zygomatic bone, initial encounter for closed fracture	Zygomaticomaxillary complex injuries are a primary indication for facial bone imaging.
`S09.7XXXA`	Multiple injuries of head, initial encounter	Polytrauma patients often receive facial imaging as part of head and face evaluation.
`S00.83XA`	Contusion of other parts of head, initial encounter	Facial contusions with suspected underlying fracture may be evaluated with facial radiographs.
`T14.8XXA`	Injury of other specified body regions, initial encounter	Used for unspecified facial injury presentations when specific fracture code not yet identified.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`70150`	Radiologic examination, facial bones; minimum of 3 views	Primary code for plain X-ray evaluation of facial bones to assess for fractures or abnormalities.
`70486`	Computed tomography, maxillofacial, without contrast material	Advanced cross-sectional imaging used when plain films are inconclusive or complex fractures are suspected.
`70336`	Radiologic examination, nasal bones; minimum of 3 views	Often performed for isolated nasal trauma or in conjunction with facial bone series for focused evaluation.
`70492`	Computed tomography, maxillofacial, with and without contrast material	Used when vascular injury or complex soft-tissue assessment with and without contrast is required.
`99173`	Screening test of visual acuity, quantitative, bilateral	Common adjunct in facial trauma evaluation to document baseline visual status when orbital involvement is suspected.
`99283`	Emergency department visit, established patient, moderate complexity	Representative ED evaluation code commonly billed when patients present with trauma requiring imaging and urgent assessment.

CPT 70010: Posterior Cranial Fossa Contrast Imaging Interpretation

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: Plain X‑ray of Eye for Foreign Body Evaluation

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

CPT 70100: Mandible X‑ray, One to Three 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, fewer than 3 views per side

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

CPT 70130: Mastoid X‑Ray Series for Mastoiditis and Vestibular Evaluation

CPT-70134-INTERNAL-AUDITORY-CANAL-RADIOGRAPHY

CPT 70134: Radiography of Internal Auditory Canals, Diagnostic

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

CPT 70140: Facial Bones X-ray, Fewer Than 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.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Jul 29, 2026.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Jul 29, 2026.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Jul 29, 2026.

Published by

Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

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CPT 70150: Facial Bones X‑ray, Minimum Three Views

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Billing Code Overview

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CPT 70150: Facial Bones X‑ray, Minimum Three Views

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Billing Code Overview

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Codes

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Codes

References

CPT 70150: Facial Bones X‑ray, Minimum Three Views

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Billing Code Overview

CPT 70150: Facial Bones X‑ray, Minimum Three Views

Sign up for cpt 70150 policy alerts

Billing Code Overview

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Codes

What does CPT 70150 represent and when is it typically used?

Which modifiers are commonly used with 70150 and when should they be applied?

What other CPT codes are commonly associated with or used instead of 70150?

What clinical scenarios or diagnoses indicate use of the facial bones series (70150)?

Which specialties and taxonomy codes are relevant to billing and care pathways for CPT 70150?

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Codes

What does CPT 70150 represent and when is it typically used?

Which modifiers are commonly used with 70150 and when should they be applied?

What other CPT codes are commonly associated with or used instead of 70150?

What clinical scenarios or diagnoses indicate use of the facial bones series (70150)?

Which specialties and taxonomy codes are relevant to billing and care pathways for CPT 70150?

References