Summary & Overview
CPT 72141: MRI Cervical Spinal Canal Without Contrast
CPT code 72141 represents a non-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study of the cervical spinal canal and its contents. This diagnostic imaging code is widely used in evaluating cervical spine conditions such as degenerative disease, trauma, infection, and neurologic compression, making it an important entry point in imaging utilization and coverage discussions on a national level.
Key payers covered in this overview include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise clinical context for the procedure, an outline of typical sites of service, and a summary of payer coverage patterns and benchmarks where available. The publication also highlights common billing considerations, modifier use, and related service lines relevant to imaging departments and outpatient providers.
This summary is intended to help clinicians, billing staff, and policy analysts understand the procedural scope of CPT code 72141, its relevance for diagnostic workflows, and what to expect in payer interactions and reimbursement environments nationally. Data not available in the input are identified where applicable.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 72141 describes a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study of the cervical spinal canal and its contents performed without contrast material. The procedure captures multiplanar images of the cervical spine and spinal cord to evaluate structural and soft-tissue pathology.
-
Service type: Diagnostic imaging (MRI), non-contrast
-
Typical site of service: Outpatient radiology department or hospital outpatient imaging center
Data not available in the input for associated taxonomies, ICD-10 diagnoses, and related codes.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 52-year-old patient presents to an outpatient imaging center with progressive neck pain radiating to the right upper extremity and intermittent numbness. The referring neurology or orthopedic clinic documents focal cervical radiculopathy on exam with decreased right biceps reflex and sensory change in the C6 distribution. Prior conservative therapy included medication and physical therapy without durable improvement. The clinician orders a diagnostic magnetic resonance imaging study of the cervical spinal canal and its contents without contrast to evaluate for disc herniation, foraminal stenosis, nerve root compression, or degenerative spondylotic changes.
The clinical workflow: the patient checks in at the radiology facility (typical site of service: outpatient imaging center or hospital outpatient department), screens for MRI safety, completes informed consent for non-contrast MRI, and is positioned supine in the scanner. The technologist acquires standard cervical spine sequences (sagittal T1, T2, STIR or fat-sat, axial T2 through suspected levels). The interpreting radiologist reviews images, documents findings (levels of canal or foraminal compromise, cord signal abnormality), and issues a final report to the referring provider. The study is billed using 72141 for the non-contrast MRI of the cervical spinal canal and contents.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
26 | Professional component |