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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesDiagnostic Radiology (Diagnostic Imaging) Procedures of the Head and NeckCPT cpt-70559-intraoperative-brain-mri-with-and-without-contrast
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    CPT 70559: Intraoperative Brain MRI With and Without Contrast

    Medicare pays $160 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 70559 describes an intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain, including the brain stem and skull base, performed during open cranial surgery to assess for residual tumor or vascular malformation; the service includes acquisition of images without contrast followed by repeat imaging with contrast. The service type is intraoperative MRI imaging and the typical site of service is the operating room during open brain surgery.

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

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    Table of contents

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    • Billing CodesCPT, HCPCS, DRG & more
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    • ModifiersCPT modifiers & usage
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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 54-year-old patient undergoing craniotomy for resection of a suspected intracranial neoplasm presents intraoperatively for assessment of residual tumor. After initial microsurgical resection, the surgical team requests intraoperative MRI to evaluate the resection cavity and adjacent brain stem and skull base structures. The radiology team brings an MRI-compatible head coil into the operating room; imaging is performed first without intravenous contrast to evaluate resection margins and blood products, then repeated with gadolinium-based contrast to better delineate any enhancing residual tumor or vascular malformation. Images are reviewed immediately by the neuroradiologist and neurosurgeon to determine whether additional resection is required. Typical workflow includes intraoperative anesthesia management, MRI technologist setup, neuroradiology interpretation, and documentation of findings in the operative record. The typical site of service is the operating room (intraoperative/imaging performed during an open cranial procedure). The service type is intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging of the brain with and without contrast to assess for residual tumor or vascular malformation.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    70559Magnetic resonance (e.g., proton) imaging, brain, including brain stem and skull base, intraoperative (in open procedure) and repeated with contrast, when performedThis is the primary code for intraoperative brain MRI performed without and with contrast to evaluate residual tumor or vascular malformation during open cranial surgery.
    61790Craniectomy for excision of brain tumor, supratentorialCraniotomy/craniectomy codes represent the primary surgical procedure during which an intraoperative MRI coded with 70559 may be performed.
    70553Magnetic resonance (e.g., proton) imaging, brain, without contrast material; limited or specified sequencesMay be used for preoperative or postoperative nonintraoperative MRI when a limited non-contrast brain MRI is performed outside the operating room.
    70554Magnetic resonance (e.g., proton) imaging, brain, with contrast material(s)Preoperative or postoperative contrast-enhanced MRI studies of the brain performed outside the OR; complementary to intraoperative imaging.
    76942Ultrasonic guidance for needle placement (e.g., biopsy, aspiration)May be used intraoperatively when ultrasound guidance is employed for biopsy or resection localization alongside intraoperative MRI.
    99291Critical care, evaluation and management of the critically ill or critically injured patient; first 30-74 minutesApplicable when intraoperative events require critical care level management documented during or immediately after the intraoperative MRI session.

    Related Modifiers

    11 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    62Modifier 62 indicates that two surgeons function as co‑surgeons, each performing distinct parts of the same primary surgical procedure. It is appended to the primary procedure code (and any…- Use modifier -62 when two surgeons act as co‑surgeons (both primary surgeons) on a single definitive primary procedure, each performing distinct parts of the same surgical procedure (append -62 to…
    73Modifier 73 indicates a facility-level outpatient hospital or ASC procedure that was discontinued after the patient was prepared and taken to the procedure/operating room but before any anesthesia…- When to use: Apply CPT modifier 73 on the FACILITY (outpatient hospital or ASC) claim when the patient has been fully prepared and physically taken into the procedure/operating room but the…
    78CPT modifier -78 indicates an unplanned, related return to the operating or procedure room by the same provider during the global postoperative period. It is appended when treatment for a…- Use modifier -78 when an unplanned, related complication during the original procedure’s global postoperative period requires the patient to return to a formal operating or procedure room and the…
    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…
    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…
    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…
    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…
    23Modifier -23 (Unusual Anesthesia) is used on anesthesia service CPT codes when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia…- Use modifier -23 only on anesthesia CPT codes (00100–01999) when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia because of…

    Showing 1–10 of 11

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy CodeSpecialtyNotes
    2084P0800XPsychiatry PhysicianA Psychiatrist specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of mental disorders, emotional disorders, psychotic disorders, mood disorders, …
    261Q00000XClinic/CenterA facility or distinct part of one used for the diagnosis and treatment of outpatients. "Clinic/Center" is irregularly defined, sometimes being limite…
    367A00000XAdvanced Practice MidwifeAdvanced practice midwifery encompasses the independent provision of care during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period; sexual and reproduc…
    3747A0650XAttendant Care ProviderAn individual who provides hands-on care, of both a supportive and health related nature, specific to the needs of a medically stable, physically hand…
    363LN0005XCritical Care Neonatal Nurse PractitionerPhysician Assistants & Advanced Practice Nursing Providers · Nurse Practitioner
    364SC1501XCommunity Health/Public Health Clinical Nurse SpecialistPhysician Assistants & Advanced Practice Nursing Providers · Clinical Nurse Specialist
    163WI0600XInfection Control Registered NurseNursing Service Providers · Registered Nurse
    111NN1001XNutrition ChiropractorChiropractic Nutrition is that specialty within the chiropractic profession that deals with the overall factors that affect the patient's ability to m…

    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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