Loading...

    Explore
    • Policy Monitoring
    • Live Policy Feed
    • Billing Codes
    • Healthcare Providers
    • Health Insurance Payers
    • States
    • Service Lines
    • Taxonomy Codes
    Lookup tools
    • Billing Code Lookup
    • CPT Modifier Lookup
    • Provider Taxonomy Code Lookup
    • Healthcare Provider & Facility Lookup
    • Health Insurance Payer Lookup
    • Payer Contact Directory

    Policy & Benchmark Tools

    • Prior Authorization Lookup
    • Coverage Criteria Lookup
    • Timely Filing Lookup
    • Billing Code Reimbursement Rates
    • Payer Comparison Dashboard
    • Facility Comparison Dashboard
    • All tools

    Company

    • About OpenPayer
    • Data Sources
    • Trek Health
    OpenPayerby Trek Health
    LinkedInYouTube

    © 2026 Trek Health. All rights reserved.

    OpenPayer is built and maintained by Trek Health.

    v1.0.31
    OpenPayerBilling CodesDiagnostic Radiology (Diagnostic Imaging) Procedures of the ChestCPT cpt-71555-chest-mra-vascular-study
    Ask Trek AI about this page

    CPT 71555: Magnetic Resonance Angiography of Chest Vessels

    Medicare pays $232 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 71555 describes a magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) study of the chest vessels performed to evaluate for occlusion, stenosis, or aneurysm; this is an imaging diagnostic service (vascular MRA) typically performed in an outpatient radiology or hospital imaging department and may be done with or without contrast while excluding dedicated myocardial imaging.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage Closure Devices for Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation, Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage Closure Devices for Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation, Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage Closure Devices for Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation.

    Customize your policy alerts

    Sign up for cpt 71555 policy alerts

    Get alerted when payer policies referencing 71555 are released or updated.

    Monitor payer policy activity

    Receive email alerts as soon as relevant payer policies are published or updated.

    Table of contents

    Progress1 / 7

    Explore openpayer tools

    • Billing CodesCPT, HCPCS, DRG & more
    • Reimbursement RatesCommercial vs. Medicare rate reports
    • Facility ComparisonBeds, revenue & payer mix
    • ProvidersHospitals & facilities
    • PayersPlans & market footprint
    • Taxonomy CodesNUCC specialty codes
    • ModifiersCPT modifiers & usage
    • Prior AuthorizationPA policies by payer & drug
    • Timely FilingFiling deadlines by payer
    • Coverage CriteriaMedical necessity by payer
    • Payer ContactsClaims, PA & appeals contacts
    View all tools

    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.

    Related CPT Codes

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

    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…
    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…
    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…
    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…
    50Modifier –50 (Bilateral Procedure) is appended to a CPT code when an identical procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures during the same operative session. The AMA states to add…- Use modifier -50 when the same CPT surgical, diagnostic, or radiology procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures (both sides of the body) during the same operative/session by the same…
    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…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207RC0000X
    207RP1001X
    2080P1004X
    163WS0121X
    207VC0200X
    3336M0002X
    276400000X
    2471C3401X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    23 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    I26.99Other pulmonary embolism without acute cor pulmonale
    I65.21Occlusion and stenosis of right carotid artery
    I65.22Occlusion and stenosis of left carotid artery
    I65.29Occlusion and stenosis of unspecified carotid artery
    I66.9Occlusion and stenosis of unspecified cerebral artery
    I67.1Cerebral aneurysm, nonruptured
    I67.4Hypertensive encephalopathy
    I70.201Unspecified atherosclerosis of native arteries of extremities, right leg
    I70.209Unspecified atherosclerosis of native arteries of extremities, unspecified extremity
    I72.3Aneurysm of iliac artery

    Showing 1–10 of 23

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Cardiology1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage Closure Devices for Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillationpremerabluecrossofwashington2027-02-05
    Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage Closure Devices for Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillationpremerabluecrossofwashington2027-02-05
    Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage Closure Devices for Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillationpremerabluecrossofwashington2027-02-05
    Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage Closure - Medical PolicyHealth-New-England2027-02-01
    Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair Medical PolicyHealth-New-England2027-02-01
    Cardiac Electrophysiological (EP) Studies and Cardiac Ablation of Abnormal Electrical RhythmsCigna2027-01-15
    Outpatient Cardiology Procedures for EviCore Arrangement (for Oxford Only)Colorado Rocky Mountain Health Plans2026-11-01
    Biomarkers for Myocardial Infarction and Chronic Heart Failure Reimbursement PolicyHealthfirst2026-11-01
    Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage Closure Devices for Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillationpremerabluecrossofwashington2026-11-01
    Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage Closure Devices for Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillationpremerabluecrossofwashington2026-11-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-71045-CHEST-RADIOGRAPH-SINGLE-VIEW

    CPT 71045: Chest Radiologic Examination, Single View

    CPT-71046-CHEST-RADIOGRAPH-MULTI-VIEW

    CPT 71046: Chest Radiologic Exam, Minimum Two Views

    CPT-71047-CHEST-RADIOGRAPH-THREE-VIEWS

    CPT 71047: Chest Radiograph, Minimum Three Views

    CPT-71048-CHEST-RADIOGRAPHY-FOUR-VIEWS

    CPT 71048: Chest Radiography, Minimum Four Views

    CPT-71100-TWO-VIEW-UNILATERAL-RIB-RADIOGRAPH

    CPT 71100: Two-View Unilateral Radiographs of Ribs

    CPT-71101-THREE-VIEW-UNILATERAL-RIBS-STUDY-PA-CHEST

    CPT 71101: Three-View Unilateral Rib Radiographic Study

    CPT-71110-THREE-VIEW-BILATERAL-RIB-RADIOGRAPHS

    CPT 71110: Three-View Bilateral Rib Radiographs

    CPT-71111-RIBS-RADIOLOGICAL-STUDY-FOUR-VIEWS-CHEST-PA

    CPT 71111: Radiologic Study of Ribs with Chest View

    CPT-71120-STERNUM-TWO-VIEW-RADIOGRAPH

    CPT 71120: Two-View Radiographic Study of Sternum

    CPT-71130-STERNOCLAVICULAR-JOINT-RADIOGRAPHIC-THREE-VIEWS

    CPT 71130: Sternoclavicular Joint Radiography, Minimum Three Views

    Showing 1–10 of 18

    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.
    Published by

    Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

    Trek Health ingests and normalizes Transparency in Coverage data and payer policy updates to give provider organizations a clear view of how commercial reimbursement behaves across markets, payers, and services. Our platform transforms raw payer disclosures into structured intelligence that supports contract evaluation, payer negotiations, and service line strategy. By combining market benchmarks with ongoing policy visibility, Trek helps teams identify variability, risk, and opportunity in commercial reimbursement. The result is faster insight, stronger negotiating positions, and more informed financial decisions.