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    OpenPayerBilling CodesDiagnostic Radiology (Diagnostic Imaging) Procedures of the Spine and PelvisCPT cpt-72127-ct-cervical-spine-with-and-without-contrast
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    CPT 72127: CT Cervical Spine Without and With Contrast

    Medicare pays $136 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 72127 describes a computed tomography (CT) examination of the cervical spine performed both without contrast and again after intravenous contrast material is administered, a diagnostic imaging service typically provided by radiology in an outpatient imaging center or hospital radiology department to evaluate cervical spine anatomy, trauma, or suspected pathology.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Navigated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Preoperative Brain Mapping, Navigated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Preoperative Brain Mapping, Navigated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Preoperative Brain Mapping.

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 45-year-old patient presents to the emergency department after a motor vehicle collision with neck pain, limited range of motion, and focal cervical tenderness. Initial assessment includes trauma evaluation and cervical spine clearance. The provider orders a computed tomography (CT) of the cervical spine without contrast followed by CT with intravenous contrast for better delineation of soft tissue structures and suspected vascular injury after abnormal neurologic exam or suspected blunt cerebrovascular injury. The clinical workflow includes triage, history and focused neurologic exam, IV access placement, informed consent for contrast administration, pre-scan screening for contrast allergy and renal function, non-contrast CT acquisition of the cervical spine, administration of iodinated contrast material, contrast-enhanced CT acquisition, image post-processing, interpretation by a radiologist, and final report documentation. Typical site of service is the hospital radiology department or outpatient imaging center for non-emergent indications; emergency department or inpatient radiology for trauma or acute neurological findings.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    70450Computed tomography, head or brain; without contrast materialOften performed alongside cervical spine CT in trauma to evaluate concurrent head injury.
    72125Computed tomography, cervical spine; without contrast material, single or multiple contiguous regionsPerformed when only non-contrast CT cervical spine is required; 72127 includes both non-contrast and contrast phases.
    72131Computed tomography, thoracic spine; without contrast material, single or multiple contiguous regionsPerformed when imaging extends to the thoracic spine in multi-level trauma.
    70498Computed tomography, diagnostic, vascular imaging (e.g., CTA) — unlisted head/neck/cranial vascularWhen dedicated CT angiography of the neck or head is required for vascular injury assessment, an unlisted or CTA-specific vascular code may be used in conjunction with or instead of routine contrast-enhanced spine CT.
    72129Computed tomography, cervical spine; with contrast material(s)Used if only contrast-enhanced CT of the cervical spine is reported; 72127 specifically represents combined non-contrast and contrast study.

    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…
    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…
    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…
    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…
    62Modifier 62 indicates that two surgeons function as co‑surgeons, each performing distinct parts of the same primary surgical procedure. It is appended to the primary procedure code (and any…- Use modifier -62 when two surgeons act as co‑surgeons (both primary surgeons) on a single definitive primary procedure, each performing distinct parts of the same surgical procedure (append -62 to…
    73Modifier 73 indicates a facility-level outpatient hospital or ASC procedure that was discontinued after the patient was prepared and taken to the procedure/operating room but before any anesthesia…- When to use: Apply CPT modifier 73 on the FACILITY (outpatient hospital or ASC) claim when the patient has been fully prepared and physically taken into the procedure/operating room but the…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207RC0000X
    208D00000X
    207T00000X
    171M00000X
    207PS0010X
    261QM1200X
    1835G0000X
    225400000X

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Neurology/Neurosurgery1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Navigated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Preoperative Brain Mappingpremerabluecrossofwashington2027-02-05
    Navigated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Preoperative Brain Mappingpremerabluecrossofwashington2027-02-05
    Navigated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Preoperative Brain Mappingpremerabluecrossofwashington2027-02-05
    Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP) Inhibitors: Vyepti (eptinezumab-jjmr)Mass General Brigham Health Plan2027-01-04
    Clinical Review Criteria Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring (IONM)Kaiser Permanente2027-01-01
    Open Neuroplasty Lumbar PlexusCigna2026-12-15
    Laser Interstitial Thermal TherapyCigna2026-11-15
    Remote Electrical Neuromodulation for Migraines (i.e., Nerivio®)bcbsvermont2026-11-01
    Lumbar Microdiscectomyuniverahealthcare2026-10-15
    Artificial Cervical Intervertebral Discuniverahealthcare2026-10-15

    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-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

    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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