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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesDiagnostic Radiology (Diagnostic Imaging) Procedures of the Spine and PelvisCPT cpt-72020-single-view-spine-radiograph
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    CPT 72020: Single-View Radiograph of a Specific Spinal Level

    Medicare pays $16 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 72020 describes a single-view radiographic examination of a specific spinal level (cervical, thoracic, or lumbar) performed to evaluate for fractures, tumors, deformity, or infection; the service is a diagnostic radiology single-view spine x-ray and is typically performed in an outpatient radiology department, hospital radiology suite, or urgent care/imaging center.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Clinical Review Criteria Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring (IONM), Remote Electrical Neuromodulation for Migraines (i.e., Nerivio®), Lumbar Microdiscectomy.

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    Table of contents

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 48-year-old patient presents to the outpatient radiology department after sustaining a fall with focal midline back pain localized to the lumbar region. The ordering provider requests a single-view radiograph of the lumbar spine to evaluate for acute fracture, focal bony lesion, or alignment abnormality. The patient is registered, screened for pregnancy, and positioned by a radiologic technologist for a single AP or lateral view targeting the specific vertebral level ordered. The technologist documents the view obtained and any positioning limitations. The radiologist reviews the image, documents findings (e.g., fracture, degenerative change, focal lucency suspicious for tumor or infection), and issues a report back to the ordering clinician. Billing is submitted for a single-level single-view spine radiograph using 72020 with any applicable modifier (professional vs technical component, laterality, or unusual procedural circumstances) per payer guidance.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    72040Radiologic examination, spine, 2 views, same level; cervical, thoracic, or lumbarOften performed when additional orthogonal or comparative views are needed beyond a single view.
    72052Radiologic examination, thoracic and lumbar spine; 2 or 3 viewsUsed when imaging spans multiple levels or requires additional views of thoracolumbar region.
    72100Radiologic examination, lumbosacral spine; 1 or 2 viewsAlternative code for imaging lumbosacral region—used when view set differs from single-level code.
    73030Radiologic examination, shoulder; complete, minimum 2 viewsExample of other single-joint radiographs commonly performed during the same visit when trauma involves multiple regions.
    72070Radiologic examination, spine, complete, minimum 4 views; cervical, thoracic, and lumbarPerformed when comprehensive spinal imaging is clinically indicated and exceeds single-level imaging.

    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…
    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…
    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…
    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…
    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…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207RC0000X
    207L00000X
    208VP0000X
    208M00000X
    276400000X
    261QM0855X
    364SR0400X
    133V00000X

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Neurology/Neurosurgery1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Clinical Review Criteria Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring (IONM)Kaiser Permanente2027-01-01
    Remote Electrical Neuromodulation for Migraines (i.e., Nerivio®)bcbsvermont2026-11-01
    Lumbar Microdiscectomyuniverahealthcare2026-10-15
    Artificial Cervical Intervertebral Discuniverahealthcare2026-10-15
    Lumbar Decompressionuniverahealthcare2026-10-15
    Responsive Neurostimulation for Focal EpilepsyPremera Bluecross2026-10-14
    Intraoperative MonitoringProvidence Health Plan2026-10-01
    Intraoperative MonitoringProvidence Health Plan2026-10-01
    High-Intensity Focused UltrasoundMass General Brigham Health Plan2026-10-01
    Vagal Nerve StimulationAmbetter Nevada2026-10-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-72040-CERVICAL-SPINE-XRAY-2-3-VIEWS

    CPT 72040: Cervical Spine X‑ray, 2–3 Views

    CPT-72050-CERVICAL-SPINE-XRAY-4-5-VIEWS

    CPT 72050: Cervical Spine X‑ray, Four to Five Views

    CPT-72052-CERVICAL-SPINE-XRAY-SIX-OR-MORE-VIEWS

    CPT 72052: Cervical Spine X‑ray, Six or More Views

    CPT-72070-THORACIC-SPINE-X-RAY-AP-LATERAL

    CPT 72070: Thoracic Spine X‑ray, AP and Lateral

    CPT-72072-THORACIC-SPINE-XRAY-3-VIEWS

    CPT 72072: Thoracic Spine X‑ray, Three Views

    CPT-72074-THORACIC-SPINE-XRAY-SERIES-4-VIEWS

    CPT 72074: Thoracic Spine X‑ray, Minimum 4 Views

    CPT-72080-THORACOLUMBAR-JUNCTION-X-RAY

    CPT 72080: Thoracolumbar Junction Spine X‑ray, Minimum Two Views

    CPT-72081-FULL-THORACIC-LUMBAR-SPINE-SINGLE-PROJECTION

    CPT 72081: Thoracic and Lumbar Spine Single‑Projection Radiograph

    CPT-72082-THORACIC-LUMBAR-SPINE-RADIOGRAPHY-SCOLIOSIS-EVALUATION

    CPT 72082: Full Spine Radiographic Projections for Scoliosis Evaluation

    CPT-72083-THORACIC-LUMBAR-SPINE-RADIOGRAPHY-SCOLIOSIS-EVALUATION

    CPT 72083: Thoracic and Lumbar Spine Radiographs for Scoliosis

    Showing 1–10 of 53

    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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