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    OpenPayerBilling CodesDiagnostic Radiology (Diagnostic Imaging) Procedures of the Spine and PelvisCPT cpt-72295-discogram-imaging-supervision-interpretation
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    CPT 72295: Lumbar Discogram Imaging Supervision and Interpretation

    Medicare pays $85 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 72295 describes imaging supervision and interpretation for a lumbar discogram, a procedure in which contrast material is injected into an intervertebral disc and a series of X‑ray images are obtained to evaluate disc injury or protrusion; service type: imaging supervision and interpretation; typical site of service: hospital outpatient radiology or outpatient imaging center.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Clinical Review Criteria Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring (IONM), Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy, Remote Electrical Neuromodulation for Migraines (i.e., Nerivio®).

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 42-year-old patient with chronic axial low back pain and suspected internal disc disruption is referred by an orthopedic surgeon for a lumbar discogram to localize a symptomatic disc prior to consideration of fusion. The patient presents to an outpatient imaging center or hospital radiology suite after pre-procedure assessment and informed consent. The procedural workflow: the patient is positioned prone on the fluoroscopy table; sterile preparation and local anesthesia are performed; using fluoroscopic guidance, a radiologist or pain management specialist advances a spinal needle into the targeted lumbar disc(s); contrast material is injected into each disc while fluoroscopic images (spot films and/or video fluoroscopy) are obtained to document contrast containment or annular tear and to correlate provoked pain response with imaging findings. The interpreting provider documents imaging supervision and interpretation, including fluoroscopic images, levels injected, amount of contrast, propagation pattern, and correlation with pain reproduction. The service represented by 72295 is solely for imaging supervision and interpretation; technical services (imaging equipment, supplies) and the procedural injection may be billed separately if applicable. Typical site of service is an outpatient hospital radiology department, ambulatory surgery center, or dedicated pain clinic procedure room equipped with fluoroscopy.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    72295Discography, imaging supervision and interpretation onlyThis code specifically reports the physician’s fluoroscopic supervision and interpretation of a lumbar discogram procedure
    62267Spinal puncture, lumbar, diagnostic; without imaging guidanceMay be performed when diagnostic injection is done without fluoroscopic guidance (alternative technique)
    72292Discography, lumbar; injection(s), single level, without imaging supervision/interpretation componentRepresents the injection component at a single level that may be billed by the proceduralist when imaging interpretation is not separately reported
    77002Fluoroscopic guidance for needle placement (e.g., biopsy, aspiration, injection) (separate procedure), diagnostic or therapeuticMay represent fluoroscopic guidance technical service when billed separately from professional interpretation
    76930Ultrasonic guidance for needle placementOccasionally used if ultrasound guidance is used for aspects of needle placement rather than fluoroscopy
    73030Radiologic examination, spine, with contrast; limited and/or localized studiesAlternative spinal imaging studies that can be performed in evaluation of disc pathology

    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…
    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…
    78CPT modifier -78 indicates an unplanned, related return to the operating or procedure room by the same provider during the global postoperative period. It is appended when treatment for a…- Use modifier -78 when an unplanned, related complication during the original procedure’s global postoperative period requires the patient to return to a formal operating or procedure room and the…
    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…
    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…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207R00000X
    2084P0800X
    208000000X
    207L00000X
    2086S0122X
    246QM0900X
    2088F0040X
    101YM0800X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    25 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    G89.21Chronic pain due to trauma
    G89.29Other chronic pain
    G95.9Disease of spinal cord, unspecified
    M43.16Spondylolisthesis, lumbar region
    M43.17Spondylolisthesis, lumbosacral region
    M47.26Other spondylosis with radiculopathy, lumbar region
    M47.27Other spondylosis with radiculopathy, lumbosacral region
    M47.816Spondylosis without myelopathy or radiculopathy, lumbar region
    M47.817Spondylosis without myelopathy or radiculopathy, lumbosacral 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
    Laser Interstitial Thermal TherapyCigna2026-11-15
    Remote Electrical Neuromodulation for Migraines (i.e., Nerivio®)bcbsvermont2026-11-01
    Artificial Cervical Intervertebral Discuniverahealthcare2026-10-15
    Lumbar Microdiscectomyuniverahealthcare2026-10-15
    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

    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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