CPT 71555: Chest Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA) Study - OpenPayer

Summary & Overview

CPT 71555: Chest Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA) Study

CPT code 71555 represents a diagnostic magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) of the chest focused on thoracic blood vessels to assess for occlusion, stenosis, or aneurysm. This vascular imaging study is clinically important for noninvasive evaluation of aortic pathology, central pulmonary and mediastinal vessel disease, and preprocedural vascular mapping. Nationally, the code is relevant across hospital outpatient departments and ambulatory imaging centers where advanced MR angiography is performed.

Key payers in the analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. The publication provides a concise overview of clinical indications, typical sites of service, and operational context for billing. Readers will find benchmark and policy-relevant content covering coverage considerations, common modifiers and procedural details, and coding relationships that affect claim adjudication and revenue cycle workflows.

The report also summarizes clinical context for when chest MRA is selected over other vascular imaging modalities, common payer review points, and implications for documentation and preauthorization. Data elements that were not provided in the input are identified as unavailable.

AetnaBlue Cross Blue ShieldCigna HealthUnitedHealthcareMedicareCPT 71555Magnetic Resonance AngiographyChest MRADiagnostic ImagingVascular ImagingRadiology CodingOutpatient Imaging

Billing Code Overview

CPT code 71555 describes a magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) study of the chest blood vessels to evaluate for occlusion, stenosis, or aneurysm. The procedure images vascular structures in the thorax and does not include dedicated myocardial imaging, though intravenous contrast may be used to enhance vessel visualization.

Service type: Diagnostic imaging — vascular MRA of the chest

Typical site of service: Hospital outpatient imaging center, radiology department, or ambulatory imaging center

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A typical patient is a 62-year-old with uncontrolled hypertension and new-onset exertional dyspnea and chest pain referred for noninvasive vascular imaging to evaluate the thoracic great vessels. The ordering provider (cardiologist or vascular surgeon) documents concern for aortic aneurysm, aortic dissection, or proximal pulmonary artery stenosis. The patient arrives to the outpatient radiology or hospital imaging suite; MRI safety screening is completed for implants, claustrophobia, and renal function. A contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography of the chest is performed using intravenous gadolinium unless contraindicated; the study images the aortic arch, great vessels, pulmonary arteries, and proximal coronary/branch vessel origins but does not include dedicated myocardial imaging. The interpreting physician (diagnostic radiologist or cardiovascular radiologist) reviews the MRA sequences, generates measurements of vessel calibers and any aneurysm or stenosis, and issues a report with comparison to prior imaging when available. Images and report are routed to the referring provider for clinical correlation and next-step management.

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`26`	Professional component	Use when billing only the physician interpretation when technical component billed separately.
`TC`

CPT 71271: Low-Dose CT Scan of Thorax Without Contrast for Lung Cancer Screening

cpt-71111-ribs-radiological-study-four-views-chest-pa

CPT 71111: Four-View Radiological Study of Ribs, Including PA Chest

cpt-71551-chest-mri-with-contrast

CPT 71551: Chest MRI With Contrast

71250

CPT 71250: CT Scan of Thorax Without Contrast

cpt-71260-ct-thorax-with-contrast

CPT 71260: CT Thorax with Contrast

71047

CPT 71047: Chest X-Ray, Three Views

cpt-71100-two-view-unilateral-rib-radiograph

CPT 71100: Two-View Unilateral Rib Radiograph

cpt-71120-sternum-two-view-radiograph

CPT 71120: Two-View Radiograph of Sternum

71045

CPT 71045: Chest X-ray, Single View

cpt-71110-three-view-bilateral-rib-radiographs

CPT 71110: Three-View Bilateral Radiographs of Ribs

Showing 1–10 of 18

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
207RC0000X	Radiology	Diagnostic radiologists commonly perform and interpret MR angiography.
207RP1001X	Vascular & Interventional Radiology	Interventional radiologists perform and interpret vascular MR studies and may coordinate interventions.
207RN0400X	Nuclear Medicine & Diagnostic Radiology	Dual-trained physicians interpreting cross-sectional vascular imaging.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`I71.2`	Thoracic aortic aneurysm, ruptured	MRA chest evaluates aneurysm size, extent, and rupture-related anatomy.
`I71.1`	Thoracic aortic aneurysm, without rupture	Used to characterize aneurysm morphology and plan surveillance or intervention.
`I77.0`	Dissection of aorta	MRA can detect intimal flap, true and false lumen in the thoracic aorta.
`I26.9`	Pulmonary embolism without acute cor pulmonale	MRA of pulmonary arteries can be used when CT angiography is contraindicated.
`I65.21`	Occlusion and stenosis of right carotid artery	Proximal great vessel stenoses affecting cerebral perfusion can be evaluated on chest MRA when extending into the aortic arch.
`R07.9`	Chest pain, unspecified	Symptom code prompting vascular imaging to exclude aortic pathology.
`I74.3`	Embolism and thrombosis of arteries of lower extremities	Vascular source evaluation may include chest MRA if central embolic source suspected.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`71550`	Magnetic resonance angiography, chest, without contrast material, followed by contrast and further sequences	Alternative chest MRA technique; used when both noncontrast and contrast phases are performed.
`71552`	Magnetic resonance angiography, chest, without contrast material	Performed when gadolinium is contraindicated or not administered.
`71260`	Computed tomography, chest, with contrast material(s), single portal venous phase	CT angiography alternative for rapid evaluation of thoracic vessels when MRI contraindicated.
`74183`	Computed tomography, abdomen and pelvis, with contrast, angiographic evaluation	Used when further evaluation of abdominal aorta or extension of vascular disease is needed.
`93010`	Electrocardiogram, routine ECG with interpretation and report	Often performed concurrently in cardiovascular workup but not part of the MRA exam itself.

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