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    OpenPayerBilling CodesDiagnostic Radiology (Diagnostic Imaging) Procedures of the Head and NeckCPT cpt-70220-paranasal-sinuses-xray-three-views
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    CPT 70220: X-ray Examination of Paranasal Sinuses, Minimum Three Views

    Medicare pays $26 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 70220 describes an X-ray examination of the paranasal sinuses with a minimum of three views performed for evaluation of sinusitis; this is a radiographic diagnostic service typically provided in an outpatient imaging center or hospital radiology department and classified as a diagnostic radiology procedure.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Lumbar Microdiscectomy, Artificial Cervical Intervertebral Disc, Lumbar Decompression.

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A typical patient is a 28-year-old adult presenting to an outpatient radiology clinic or emergency department with facial pain, nasal congestion, purulent nasal discharge, and fever suggesting acute sinusitis. The provider orders radiographic imaging of the paranasal sinuses when physical exam findings are equivocal, symptoms are prolonged (>7–10 days) or complicated, or to evaluate suspected sinus opacification, mucocele, or suspected facial trauma involving the sinuses. The radiology technologist obtains a minimum of three views (commonly Waters, Caldwell, and lateral) per the order for 70220. Images are reviewed by a radiologist who documents sinus air-fluid levels, mucosal thickening, opacification, or fractures and issues a report. The usual site of service is an outpatient radiology department, freestanding imaging center, or emergency department imaging suite. Typical workflow includes order entry, review of clinical indication, patient positioning for three or more views, image acquisition, preliminary technologist QA, and final radiologist interpretation and reporting.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    70486Computed tomography, facial bones, without contrast, axial slices; 1.25 mm or lessCT facial bones may be ordered if radiographs are nondiagnostic or for detailed evaluation of trauma or complicated sinus disease.
    70487Computed tomography, facial bones, with contrast, 1.25 mm or lessContrast-enhanced CT may be used when assessing soft tissue complications or suspected orbital/intracranial extension.
    70488CT facial bones, without and with contrastCombined non-contrast and contrast CT performed when both are clinically indicated following plain radiographs.
    70480CT, maxillofacial, without contrastAlternative CT code used for detailed evaluation of maxillary and other paranasal sinus pathology.
    763763D rendering with interpretationUsed when advanced post-processing is performed for surgical planning after cross-sectional 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…
    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…
    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…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy CodeSpecialtyNotes
    2080P0208XPediatric Infectious Diseases PhysicianA pediatrician trained to care for children in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of infectious diseases. This specialist can apply specific know…
    261Q00000XClinic/CenterA facility or distinct part of one used for the diagnosis and treatment of outpatients. "Clinic/Center" is irregularly defined, sometimes being limite…
    207K00000XAllergy & Immunology PhysicianAn allergist-immunologist is trained in evaluation, physical and laboratory diagnosis, and management of disorders involving the immune system. Select…
    207L00000XAnesthesiology PhysicianAn anesthesiologist is trained to provide pain relief and maintenance, or restoration, of a stable condition during and immediately following an opera…
    207QS0010XSports Medicine (Family Medicine) PhysicianA family medicine physician that is trained to be responsible for continuous care in the field of sports medicine, not only for the enhancement of hea…
    2085R0001XRadiation Oncology PhysicianA radiologist who deals with the therapeutic applications of radiant energy and its modifiers and the study and management of disease, especially mali…
    282N00000XGeneral Acute Care HospitalAn acute general hospital is an institution whose primary function is to provide inpatient diagnostic and therapeutic services for a variety of medica…
    364ST0500XTransplantation Clinical Nurse SpecialistPhysician Assistants & Advanced Practice Nursing Providers · Clinical Nurse Specialist

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Neurology/Neurosurgery1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Lumbar Microdiscectomyuniverahealthcare2026-10-15
    Artificial Cervical Intervertebral Discuniverahealthcare2026-10-15
    Lumbar Decompressionuniverahealthcare2026-10-15
    Nerve Fiber Density Testing (IENFD/ENFD) Coverage CriteriaOscar Health2026-10-01
    Biomarker Testing for Multiple Sclerosis and Related Neurologic DiseasesOscar Health2026-10-01
    Biochemical Markers of Alzheimer Disease and DementiaOscar Health2026-10-01
    Serum Testing For Evidence of Mild Traumatic Brain InjuryOscar Health2026-10-01
    Evaluation of Cerebrospinal Fluid, Urine and Plasma for Alzheimer DiseaseBluecross Idaho2026-09-01
    Prior Authorization of Spinal ProceduresBlue Cross Blue Shield - Rhode Island2026-09-01
    Alzheimer's Disease - Amyloid Beta- Directed Antibodies - KisunlaCigna2026-08-15

    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-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

    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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