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    OpenPayerBilling CodesDiagnostic Radiology (Diagnostic Imaging) Procedures of the Spine and PelvisCPT cpt-72074-thoracic-spine-xray-series-4-views
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    CPT 72074: Thoracic Spine X‑ray, Minimum 4 Views

    Medicare pays $31 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 72074 describes a diagnostic thoracic spine radiographic study consisting of a minimum of four X‑ray views performed to evaluate the thoracic vertebrae for abnormal curvature (scoliosis/kyphosis), fractures, degenerative change, infection, or neoplasm; service type: diagnostic radiology — plain film spinal imaging; typical site of service: radiology suite, hospital outpatient department, or 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 54-year-old patient presents to an outpatient radiology clinic with mid-back pain after a fall from a ladder two days prior. The referring provider documents point tenderness over the thoracic spine and concern for compression fracture versus metastatic lesion given a history of prior malignancy. The radiology order requests a thoracic spine series. The technologist obtains a minimum of four radiographic views including AP, lateral, and two oblique or swimmer/spot views as indicated. Images are reviewed by the radiologist who documents alignment, vertebral body heights, focal fractures, destructive lesions, and any acute osseous abnormality. Final radiology report is transmitted to the referring clinician for correlation and further management. Typical site of service is an outpatient radiology department, freestanding imaging center, or emergency department when performed for acute trauma.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    72072Radiologic examination, cervical spine; minimum of 3 viewsCervical spine series may be ordered concurrently if multi-region trauma or pain involves neck and thorax.
    72020Radiologic examination, spine, thoracic and lumbar, standing (AP and lateral)Alternative thoracic-lumbar combined series when broader evaluation is required.
    73030Radiologic examination, humerus; complete, minimum of 2 viewsExtremity radiographs may be performed in the same visit for associated injuries; separate reporting.
    72100Radiologic examination, sacrum and coccyx; 2 or 3 viewsAdditional spinal region imaging in multi-region trauma workups.
    73200Radiologic examination, upper extremity, humerus; 2 viewsOrdered when related musculoskeletal evaluation is needed alongside thoracic spine imaging.

    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…
    90Modifier ‑90 (Reference/Outside Laboratory) indicates that a laboratory test was performed by an entity other than the treating or reporting provider. The American Medical Association defines…- Use CPT modifier -90 when a laboratory test is performed by an outside/reference laboratory (an entity other than the treating or reporting physician or qualified professional) and the claim needs…
    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…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    225100000X
    124Q00000X
    106S00000X
    246QH0000X
    2278E1000X
    261QM0850X
    133VN1401X
    163WC3500X

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

    CPT 72072: Thoracic Spine X‑ray, Three 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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