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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesDiagnostic Radiology (Diagnostic Imaging) Procedures of the Spine and PelvisCPT cpt-72072-thoracic-spine-xray-3-views
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    CPT 72072: Thoracic Spine X‑ray, Three Views

    Medicare pays $27 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 72072 describes a diagnostic radiology procedure consisting of three X‑ray views of the thoracic spine performed to evaluate spinal alignment, suspected fractures, degenerative changes, or oncologic lesions; the service is an diagnostic thoracic spine radiograph typically provided in an outpatient radiology department, hospital radiology suite, or ambulatory 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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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A typical patient is an adult presenting to an outpatient radiology center or emergency department with thoracic back pain after trauma, suspected vertebral compression fracture, progressive mid‑back deformity, or evaluation for metastatic disease. The ordering clinician (primary care physician, emergency physician, orthopedic or spine surgeon) documents symptoms, mechanism of injury, focal tenderness, neurologic deficits, or known cancer history. The radiology technologist performs a standard three‑view thoracic spine radiographic series (usually AP, lateral and one oblique or swimmer’s view as indicated) with patient positioning and shielding per facility protocol. Images are acquired, post‑processed, and transmitted to a radiologist who interprets the study, issues a final report describing alignment, vertebral body heights, disc space assessment, suspicious lesions, and acute vs chronic changes. Results are communicated to the ordering clinician for further management such as advanced imaging (CT or MRI), orthopedic consultation, or oncology referral.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    72052Radiologic exam, spine, thoracic and lumbar; 2 viewsMay be ordered when limited views of both thoracic and lumbar regions are indicated; differs in view count and region
    72070Radiologic examination, spine, thoracic; 1 or 2 viewsUsed when fewer views than a three‑view series are performed; may be billed if only one or two views are medically necessary
    72100Radiologic exam, spine, cervical; 2 viewsCervical spine radiographs often accompany thoracic imaging when multi‑region trauma is suspected
    73030Radiologic examination, shoulder; complete, minimum 2 viewsOther regional radiographs that may be performed in trauma workups alongside thoracic spine views
    72114Radiologic exam, spine, lumbar; 2 or 3 viewsLumbar spine radiographs are commonly ordered with thoracic series in diffuse back pain or trauma evaluations

    Related Modifiers

    8 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…
    91Modifier 91 — “Repeat Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory Test” — is appended when the exact same CPT laboratory test is performed more than once for the same patient on the same day because serial,…- Use modifier 91 when the exact same CPT laboratory test is performed more than once on the same patient on the same date because serial or repeated testing is medically necessary to monitor…
    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
    208000000X
    2082S0099X
    2085R0001X
    3245S0500X
    246YR1600X
    133V00000X
    364SP0812X
    246ZE0500X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    24 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    C79.51Secondary malignant neoplasm of bone
    G96.11Dural tear
    M25.50Pain in unspecified joint
    M42.9Spinal osteochondrosis, unspecified
    M47.26Other spondylosis with radiculopathy, lumbar region
    M48.04Spinal stenosis, thoracic region
    M48.07Spinal stenosis, lumbosacral region
    M50.20Other cervical disc displacement, unspecified cervical region
    M51.26Other intervertebral disc displacement, lumbar region
    M53.2X1Spinal instabilities, occipito-atlanto-axial 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-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-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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