Summary & Overview
CPT 70390: Parotid Gland Imaging Supervision and Interpretation
CPT code 70390 denotes physician supervision and interpretation of imaging of the parotid gland, a diagnostic service used to identify calculi, ductal obstruction, masses, or inflammatory conditions affecting the salivary gland. Nationally, this code matters because it captures a focused consultative imaging service often performed in outpatient radiology settings and billed separately from technical imaging components. Proper use affects clinical documentation, payer adjudication, and accurate classification of imaging encounters.
Key payers typically addressed in coverage and reimbursement discussions include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise summary of the clinical purpose of the code, typical sites of service, and which major payers are relevant to coverage and payment considerations. The publication provides benchmarks where available, notes on common billing practices, and the clinical context for when parotid imaging supervision and interpretation is applied. Where specific payer policy details or comparative pricing data are not provided, the report indicates that such data is not available in the input.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 70390 describes imaging supervision and interpretation of the parotid gland, a major salivary gland located in either cheek. The procedure is performed to evaluate the parotid gland and its ductal system, most commonly to diagnose salivary gland calculi (stones), obstructive processes, or other structural abnormalities.
Service Type: Diagnostic imaging with physician supervision and interpretation
Typical Site of Service: Outpatient radiology or imaging suite, ambulatory surgical center, or hospital outpatient department
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 45-year-old patient presents to an outpatient radiology clinic with acute onset painful swelling beneath the angle of the jaw and painful salivary flow during meals. The referring otolaryngologist suspects a salivary stone (sialolithiasis) within the parotid gland or Stensen duct and orders diagnostic ultrasound with imaging supervision and interpretation. The patient registration, consent, and relevant clinical history are obtained. The ultrasound technologist performs targeted high-resolution sonography of the right and left parotid glands while the supervising radiologist or ENT physician provides real-time supervision, reviews images, and documents the interpretation. Findings that may be reported include hyperechoic intraductal calculi with posterior acoustic shadowing, ductal dilation, acute sialadenitis, or focal masses. The finalized report is transmitted to the referring provider. Typical sites of service are outpatient radiology departments, hospital outpatient imaging centers, and ambulatory surgical centers when imaging is performed in conjunction with a procedure.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
26 | Professional component | Use when billing only the physician interpretation for the ultrasound study while facility bills technical component. |
TC |