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    v1.0.31
    OpenPayerBilling CodesDiagnostic Radiology (Diagnostic Imaging) Procedures of the Spine and PelvisCPT cpt-72159-spinal-mri-angiography-spinal-vessel-imaging
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    CPT 72159: MRI Angiography of Spinal Canal Vessels

    Medicare pays $234 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 72159 describes magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) of the spinal canal and its contents to evaluate the blood vessels for stenosis or aneurysm; this diagnostic imaging service is performed as an MRI-based vascular study and may be done with or without intravenous contrast. Service type: Diagnostic MRI with vascular/angiographic focus. Typical site of service: Hospital outpatient imaging center or freestanding radiology/imaging facility.

    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 58-year-old male with progressive lower extremity weakness, numbness, and intermittent radicular pain presents to neurology after an outpatient spine clinic evaluation. Prior lumbar MRI without contrast showed multilevel degenerative changes but could not fully exclude vascular compression or an arteriovenous malformation. The patient is referred for spinal magnetic resonance angiography to evaluate the blood vessels of the spinal canal and spinal cord for suspected spinal canal vascular stenosis or an aneurysm. Consent is obtained; IV access is established. The patient is screened for MRI and contrast safety (renal function, allergy). The radiology team performs 72159 (MRI of blood vessels of the spinal canal and contents, with or without contrast) using a dedicated spinal coil, time-resolved sequences if indicated, and intravenous gadolinium contrast when vascular detail is required. Post-procedure, images are reviewed by a neuroradiologist, a formal report documents vessel anatomy, presence or absence of stenosis, aneurysm, fistula, or AVM, and findings are communicated to the referring neurosurgeon or neurologist for treatment planning. Typical site of service is an outpatient imaging center or hospital radiology department.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    72156MRI lumbar spine; without contrast material, followed by contrast and further sequences (e.g., combined non-contrast and contrast study)Performed when both routine lumbar spine MRI sequences and contrast-enhanced vascular sequences are needed in the same encounter; may be billed in combination following payer rules.
    70544Magnetic resonance angiography, head, without contrast material (e.g., MRA intracranial without contrast)May be performed in the same session when evaluating craniovertebral junction vascular anatomy or intracranial extension of pathology.
    76098Vascular embolization and/or thrombectomy, radiological supervision and interpretationRepresents an interventional follow-up procedure if a spinal vascular lesion identified on 72159 requires endovascular treatment; radiology supervision and interpretation codes may apply.
    73110Radiologic examination, lower extremity, arterial, unilateral, with contrast (arteriography)Can be part of the diagnostic/therapeutic workup to characterize peripheral-spinal vascular supply when invasive angiography is indicated following abnormal MRI/MRA findings.
    99152Moderate sedation services provided by physician or other qualified health care professional (for patients under sedation)Billed when moderate sedation is provided for patient comfort during imaging that requires immobilization or prolonged acquisition time.

    Related Modifiers

    6 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…
    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…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    2084P0800X
    207L00000X
    2279E1000X
    261QR0800X
    207RA0000X
    125J00000X
    163WC1500X
    207QH0002X

    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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