Summary & Overview
CPT 72194: CT Pelvis With and Without Contrast
Headline: CPT code 72194: CT Pelvis With and Without Contrast — Key Diagnostic Imaging Code
Lead: CPT code 72194 denotes a computed tomography (CT) examination of the pelvis performed both without contrast and again after contrast administration. The code captures a single diagnostic encounter that provides combined non-contrast and contrast-enhanced images, supporting comprehensive evaluation of pelvic anatomy and pathology.
CPT code 72194 is nationally relevant because CT imaging of the pelvis is a common diagnostic tool across emergency, inpatient, and outpatient settings for assessment of trauma, infection, oncologic staging, and vascular or inflammatory conditions. Payers commonly covering this service include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare.
Readers will learn: the clinical scope and typical sites of service for CPT code 72194, payer coverage context, and which operational elements are associated with this combined non-contrast and contrast-enhanced CT pelvis study. The publication provides benchmarks and policy updates where available, clarifies clinical indications that drive use, and summarizes common billing considerations tied to a dual-phase CT pelvis procedure. Data not available in the input will be noted where applicable.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 72194 describes a computer tomographic (CT) imaging study of the pelvis performed first without contrast and repeated after intravenous contrast administration. This is a CT pelvis with and without contrast, intended to capture both non-contrast and contrast-enhanced phases during a single encounter.
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Service type: Diagnostic imaging (CT scan) of the pelvis
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Typical site of service: Hospital outpatient department, freestanding imaging center, or ambulatory care setting where CT imaging is performed
Data not available in the input.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient is an adult presenting to the emergency department or outpatient imaging center with acute pelvic pain, hematuria, suspected pelvic trauma, or evaluation of a pelvic mass. The care team orders a CT pelvis without contrast followed by CT pelvis with IV contrast (72194) to identify or better characterize hemorrhage, solid organ injury, urinary tract stones, abscess, neoplasm, or vascular abnormalities. Relevant workflow: triage and history, screening for contrast allergy and renal function (serum creatinine/eGFR), IV access placement, pre-contrast noncontrast CT acquisition of the pelvis, administration of intravenous iodinated contrast, post-contrast portal venous phase acquisition of the pelvis, image reconstruction and comparison of pre- and post-contrast studies, radiologist interpretation with final report, and documentation of consent for contrast and any immediate adverse reactions. Typical sites of service include hospital radiology departments, emergency departments, and outpatient imaging centers. Patient preparation commonly includes fasting as indicated, removal of metal from the pelvis, and review of medications (eg, metformin).
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
26 | Professional component | Use when billing only the interpreting physician's professional component separate from technical component. |