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    OpenPayerBilling CodesDiagnostic Radiology (Diagnostic Imaging) Procedures of the Spine and PelvisCPT cpt-72080-thoracolumbar-junction-x-ray
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    CPT 72080: Thoracolumbar Junction Spine X‑ray, Minimum Two Views

    Medicare pays $24 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 72080 describes a diagnostic radiographic procedure obtaining a minimum of two X‑ray views of the thoracolumbar junction to evaluate for abnormal curvature, fractures, or malignancy; the service is a plain radiography (spine X‑ray) typically performed in an outpatient radiology clinic, hospital radiology department, or imaging center as a diagnostic imaging study of the thoracic‑lumbar spine transition.

    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 58-year-old patient presents to the hospital radiology department with acute midline back pain after a fall from standing height. The ordering provider suspects a compression fracture at the thoracolumbar junction or an acute deformity that could represent metastatic disease. The patient is ambulatory but reports focal tenderness over the T12–L1 region and has localized pain with spinal motion. The provider orders imaging to evaluate alignment and acute osseous injury.

    In the imaging workflow, a radiology technologist performs a diagnostic radiographic series of the thoracolumbar junction, obtaining a minimum of two views — typically anteroposterior (AP) and lateral — per the order for 72080. Images are reviewed by the supervising radiologist, who documents findings such as vertebral body height loss, retropulsion, alignment abnormality, or lytic/blastic lesions suggesting malignancy. The study is reported in the electronic medical record and routed to the referring clinician for management decisions (e.g., bracing, MRI, referral to orthopedics or oncology). Typical site of service is the outpatient radiology clinic, hospital radiology department, or emergency department imaging suite.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    72070Radiologic examination, thoracic spine; 2 or 3 viewsMay be ordered when the primary region of concern is the thoracic spine alone; sometimes performed in conjunction if the level of pain is unclear.
    72100Radiologic examination, lumbar spine; 2 or 3 viewsPerformed when pain or injury localizes to the lumbar spine or when additional lumbar views are needed beyond the thoracolumbar junction.
    72082Radiologic examination, thoracolumbar spine, 4 or more viewsUsed when a more extensive thoracolumbar survey is required for alignment evaluation, scoliosis, or complex trauma.
    72114Radiologic examination, lumbar spine; 2 or 3 views with flexion and extension studiesMay follow 72080 when dynamic instability is suspected and functional views are needed.
    72148Radiologic examination, sacroiliac joints, 2 or 3 viewsOccasionally performed alongside when pelvic or sacral injury is also suspected after trauma.

    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…
    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…
    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…
    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…
    80CPT® Modifier 80 (Assistant Surgeon) is appended to a surgical CPT code when a physician (MD or DO) provides full, continuous assistance throughout the operative procedure. It is intended only for…- Use CPT Modifier -80 when a physician (MD or DO) serves as an assistant surgeon and provides full, continuous assistance throughout the entire operative procedure; append -80 to the surgical CPT…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207RC0000X
    208600000X
    207K00000X
    207L00000X
    246QH0600X
    2084B0040X
    2084N0008X
    2085D0003X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    25 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    C79.51Secondary malignant neoplasm of bone
    C79.52Secondary malignant neoplasm of bone marrow
    G89.29Other chronic pain
    M25.50Pain in unspecified joint
    M25.569Pain in unspecified knee
    M41.9Scoliosis, unspecified
    M43.16Spondylolisthesis, lumbar region
    M43.17Spondylolisthesis, lumbosacral region
    M47.816Spondylosis without myelopathy or radiculopathy, lumbar region
    M48.07Spinal stenosis, lumbosacral region

    Showing 1–10 of 25

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

    CPT 72074: Thoracic Spine X‑ray, Minimum 4 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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