Loading...

    Explore
    • Policy Monitoring
    • Live Policy Feed
    • Billing Codes
    • NPI Medicare & Medicaid
    • 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.

    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesDiagnostic Radiology (Diagnostic Imaging) Procedures of the Spine and PelvisCPT cpt-72050-cervical-spine-xray-4-5-views
    Ask Trek AI about this page

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

    Medicare pays $38 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 72050 describes a diagnostic radiographic study of the cervical spine consisting of four to five X‑ray views to evaluate spinal alignment, fractures, degenerative changes, or suspected neoplasm; the service is an imaging study (cervical spine radiographs) typically performed in an outpatient radiology department, emergency department, or clinic with radiographic capability.

    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.

    Customize your policy alerts

    Sign up for cpt 72050 policy alerts

    Get alerted when payer policies referencing 72050 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 47-year-old patient presents to an outpatient radiology facility after a primary care visit for neck pain following a fall from a ladder two days earlier. The provider documents focal cervical spine point tenderness and limited range of motion. Emergency department triage or the referring clinician orders a cervical spine radiographic series to evaluate for fracture, malalignment, degenerative change, or other structural abnormality. The patient is checked in at the imaging front desk, screened for pregnancy, and escorted to the X-ray suite. A radiologic technologist obtains four to five standard views of the cervical spine (including AP, lateral, and two or three oblique or odontoid views as clinically indicated). Images are transmitted to the radiologist for interpretation. The radiologist documents findings and impression in the imaging report; the referring clinician receives the report to guide further management such as immobilization, advanced imaging (CT/MRI), or conservative care. Typical sites of service include hospital radiology departments, freestanding outpatient imaging centers, and emergency departments. The service type is diagnostic radiology (cervical spine X-ray).

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    72040Radiologic examination, cervical spine; 2 or 3 viewsMay be performed when a limited series is sufficient or when fewer views are clinically indicated prior to ordering a full 4–5 view study
    72052Radiologic examination, cervical spine; with flexion and/or extension studiesPerformed after standard views if clinical instability or dynamic evaluation is required
    72100Radiologic examination, cervical spine; complete, minimum of 3 views (note: code historically used for thoracic/lumbar; included here as alternative series codes)Alternative or adjunct series depending on local coding conventions and clinical need
    72125Radiologic examination, cervical spine; myelography, post-myelogramPerformed if neurologic findings or suspected spinal canal pathology prompts further contrast studies
    72020Radiologic examination, skull; complete, minimum of 4 viewsMay be ordered concurrently in head trauma evaluations where both skull and cervical spine imaging are indicated

    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…
    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…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207RC0000X
    2084P0800X
    207L00000X
    2085R0202X
    2084P2900X
    207YX0602X
    363AS0400X
    261QH0700X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    24 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    F45.41Pain disorder exclusively related to psychological factors
    G54.0Brachial plexus disorders
    G62.9Polyneuropathy, unspecified
    M47.812Spondylosis without myelopathy or radiculopathy, cervical region
    M47.813Spondylosis without myelopathy or radiculopathy, cervicothoracic region
    M48.02Spinal stenosis, cervical region
    M48.8X2Other specified spondylopathies, cervical region
    M50.10Cervical disc disorder with radiculopathy, unspecified cervical region
    M50.20Other cervical disc displacement, unspecified cervical region
    M50.30Other cervical disc degeneration, unspecified cervical region

    Showing 1–10 of 24

    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-72020-SINGLE-VIEW-SPINE-RADIOGRAPH

    CPT 72020: Single-View Radiograph of a Specific Spinal Level

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

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