CPT 73225 Magnetic Resonance Angiography Reimbursement | OpenPayer

Summary & Overview

CPT 73225: Magnetic Resonance Angiography of Upper Extremity

CPT code 73225 denotes magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) of the upper extremity, a diagnostic imaging procedure used to detect vascular abnormalities such as stenosis and aneurysm. This code is nationally relevant because MRA provides noninvasive visualization of arterial and venous structures and can influence management decisions for vascular disease, trauma, or preoperative planning. The procedure may be performed with contrast to improve vessel delineation.

Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find an overview of the clinical use of upper-extremity MRA, typical sites of service, and the payer landscape that affects coverage and billing practices. The publication summarizes benchmark utilization patterns and common billing considerations, highlights policy factors that can affect reimbursement decisions, and provides clinical context for when MRA of the upper extremity is indicated. Data not available in the input for specific ICD-10 pairings, associated taxonomies, and related codes are noted as unavailable in their respective sections. This summary serves as a concise reference for coders, billing managers, and policy analysts seeking a national-level understanding of CPT code 73225 and its role in vascular diagnostic imaging.

AetnaBlue Cross Blue ShieldCigna HealthUnitedHealthcareMedicare73225CPTmagnetic-resonance-angiographyupper-extremityvascular-imagingdiagnostic-radiologycontrast-enhanced-imaging

Billing Code Overview

CPT code 73225 describes a magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) of the upper extremity performed to evaluate the blood vessels for stenosis or aneurysm. The procedure is a diagnostic vascular imaging study that may include the administration of intravenous contrast to enhance vessel visualization.

Service Type: Diagnostic vascular imaging (MRA of upper extremity)

Typical Site of Service: Outpatient imaging center or hospital radiology department

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A 62-year-old patient with a history of peripheral vascular disease and progressive left upper extremity claudication is referred for diagnostic vascular imaging after abnormal duplex ultrasound and persistent ischemic symptoms. The referring vascular surgeon requests evaluation for suspected arterial stenosis or aneurysm of the subclavian and axillary arterial segments. The patient arrives at an outpatient imaging center and undergoes screening for MRI safety and renal function if contrast-enhanced imaging is planned. The MRI technologist reviews the clinical indication, positions the patient supine with the affected arm secured, and performs a contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography of the upper extremity vasculature. The interpreting radiologist documents vessel anatomy, location and degree of stenosis, any aneurysmal dilation, and contrast-related observations. Imaging results are communicated to the referring provider, who uses the report to plan medical management, endovascular intervention, or surgical referral.

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`26`	Professional component	When billing only the interpreting physician's read for the MRI without technical component.
`TC`	Technical component

CPT 73206: CT Angiography of Upper Extremity

CPT-73070-ELBOW-XRAY-2-VIEWS

CPT 73070: Elbow X‑ray, Minimum 2 Views

CPT-73085-ELBOW-ARTHROGRAPHY-IMAGING-INTERPRETATION

CPT 73085: Elbow Arthrography, Imaging Supervision and Interpretation

CPT-73040-SHOULDER-ARTHROGRAM-IMAGING-INTERPRETATION

CPT 73040: Shoulder Arthrogram Imaging Supervision and Interpretation

CPT-73115-WRIST-ARTHROGRAM-IMAGING-INTERPRETATION

CPT 73115: Wrist Arthrogram Imaging Supervision and Interpretation

CPT-73090-FOREARM-XRAY-TWO-VIEWS

CPT 73090: Two-View Forearm X‑Ray

CPT-73030-SHOULDER-XRAY-COMPLETE-MINIMUM-2-VIEWS

CPT 73030: Complete Shoulder X‑ray, Minimum Two Views

CPT-73060-HUMERUS-XRAY-TWO-VIEWS

CPT 73060: Humerus X‑ray, Minimum Two Views

CPT-73010-SCAPULA-XRAY-COMPLETE-STUDY

CPT 73010: Scapula X‑ray, Complete

CPT-73140-FINGER-RADIOGRAPHY-TWO-VIEWS

CPT 73140: Radiologic Study of One or More Fingers, Two or More Views

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Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
207R00000X	Radiology	Diagnostic and interventional radiologists commonly interpret vascular MRI studies.
207K00000X	Diagnostic Radiology	Radiologists with diagnostic radiology taxonomy perform interpretation and reporting.
207P00000X	Vascular Surgery	Vascular surgeons commonly order and use results for operative planning.
207L00000X	Interventional Radiology	Interventional radiologists perform endovascular correlation and procedures guided by imaging.
2080P0005X	Cardiology - Interventional	Interventional cardiologists may correlate upper extremity vascular findings for access or procedures.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`I73.9`	Peripheral vascular disease, unspecified	Common indication for upper extremity MRA when arterial insufficiency is suspected.
`I65.29`	Occlusion and stenosis of other precerebral arteries	Relevant when subclavian or vertebral inflow compromise is suspected affecting upper extremity or cerebral perfusion.
`I72.3`	Aneurysm of artery of upper extremity	Directly evaluates suspected aneurysm in the upper extremity vasculature.
`I77.2`	Rupture of artery	Used if imaging is obtained emergently for suspected arterial rupture or acute hemorrhage.
`R22.31`	Localized swelling, left upper limb	Symptom code prompting vascular imaging to evaluate for venous or arterial causes including aneurysm or thrombosis.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`73225`	Magnetic resonance angiography, upper extremity, without contrast material, followed by contrast material(s) and further sequences when performed	This is the index code describing contrast-enhanced and non-contrast MRA of the upper extremity vessels used to evaluate stenosis or aneurysm.
`73721`	Magnetic resonance angiography, lower extremity, bilateral, with or without contrast material(s)	Performed when peripheral vascular disease assessment extends to lower extremities in the same patient.
`70450`	CT head or brain without contrast (note: not typically directly related)	Data not available in the input.
`36147`	Selective catheter placement, arterial system; each first order thoracic branch, within vascular territory accessed for diagnostic angiography (note: endovascular codes)	Performed when catheter angiography is needed for diagnostic confirmation or for planned endovascular intervention following abnormal MRA.
`74185`	Magnetic resonance angiography, abdomen, without contrast material, followed by contrast material(s) and further sequences when performed (note: for abdominal vessel correlation)	Performed when assessment of central vessels or aneurysmal disease requires imaging of abdominal vasculature as part of comprehensive vascular evaluation.

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