Summary & Overview
CPT 70332: Arthrography of Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)
CPT code 70332 denotes arthrography of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), a contrast-enhanced radiographic study used to evaluate internal joint structures and diagnose TMJ dysfunction, derangement, or structural injury. Nationally, this specialized diagnostic procedure matters because it informs surgical planning, guides conservative management, and intersects with imaging utilization and coverage policies across public and commercial payers.
Key payers discussed include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of clinical context for TMJ arthrography and what the code represents. The publication also summarizes typical sites of service and the service type for clinical and billing teams.
The analysis covers benchmarks and payer coverage patterns where available, highlights relevant documentation and coding considerations, and summarizes common modifiers used with this service. Where input data is incomplete, the publication notes missing elements as "Data not available in the input." The material is targeted to billing specialists, radiology providers, and policy analysts seeking a clear, national-level briefing on the use and administrative handling of CPT code 70332.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 70332 describes arthrography of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), a radiographic contrast study performed for diagnostic evaluation of the TMJ. This procedure uses contrast-enhanced imaging to visualize joint structures and assess internal derangement, dysfunction, or other structural abnormalities.
Service type: Diagnostic radiology procedure (arthrography of the TMJ)
Typical site of service: Outpatient imaging center or hospital radiology department
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 34-year-old female presents to an outpatient radiology clinic with persistent unilateral preauricular pain, audible clicking, and intermittent locking of the jaw following a motor vehicle collision three months prior. Conservative management including anti-inflammatory medication, occlusal splint therapy, and physical therapy provided partial symptom relief but dysfunction persists. The referring oral maxillofacial surgeon orders a diagnostic arthrography of the temporomandibular joint to evaluate intra-articular structures and to guide further management.
The typical clinical workflow: the patient arrives to an ambulatory radiology or dental imaging suite. Informed consent is obtained and relevant history and anticoagulation status are reviewed. The patient is positioned supine or seated. Under fluoroscopic or CT guidance, a small-gauge needle is placed into the superior joint space of the temporomandibular joint. Contrast medium is injected while dynamic imaging documents joint space filling, disc position, perforation, adhesions, or degenerative changes. Images are archived in the PACS and a radiology report is generated describing contrast distribution and pertinent findings. The procedure is billed as 70332 (temporomandibular joint arthrography). Typical site of service is an ambulatory radiology department, outpatient imaging center, or hospital outpatient department.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
26 |