Summary & Overview
CPT 73719: MRI of Lower Extremity (Non-Joint) With Contrast
CPT code 73719 represents magnetic resonance imaging of the lower extremity other than a joint performed with contrast material. This diagnostic MRI is used to evaluate soft tissue, neurovascular structures, tumors, infection, and post-traumatic changes in the leg, thigh, ankle, or foot when enhanced tissue characterization is required. Nationally, accurate coding of this service affects clinical decision-making, utilization monitoring, and imaging cost reporting across both commercial and public payers.
Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of clinical context and typical sites of service, benchmark considerations for utilization and reimbursement, common modifier guidance where applicable (list provided separately), and implications for claims processing and prior authorization workflows. The publication highlights how CPT code 73719 differs from joint-focused lower-extremity MRI codes and when contrast-enhanced imaging is clinically indicated.
This summary is intended for national audiences involved in radiology billing, revenue integrity, utilization management, and clinical leadership. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable; the report focuses on code definition, service characteristics, payer coverage landscape, and practical considerations for accurate documentation and claims submission.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 73719 describes magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the lower extremity (other than a joint) performed with contrast material. This procedure captures detailed soft-tissue and vascular anatomy of the leg, thigh, ankle, foot, or other non-joint lower-extremity structures using MRI with intravenous contrast to enhance visualization.
Service type: Diagnostic imaging — MRI with contrast of lower extremity (non-joint)
Typical site of service: Hospital outpatient imaging center, freestanding MRI facility, or outpatient radiology department.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient is an adult presenting to an outpatient imaging center or hospital radiology department with persistent lower extremity pain, swelling, suspected soft tissue mass, or vascular insufficiency not localized to a joint. For example, a 52-year-old patient with progressive calf swelling and cramping after trauma and nondiagnostic ultrasound may be scheduled for magnetic resonance imaging of the lower leg with intravenous contrast to evaluate for muscle tear, hematoma, deep soft tissue infection, or vascular malformation. The clinical workflow includes referral from the treating clinician (orthopedics, vascular surgery, emergency medicine, or primary care), pre-scan screening for MRI safety and contrast allergies, intravenous access placement, administration of gadolinium-based contrast, MRI acquisition with sequences tailored to soft tissue and vascular evaluation, radiologist interpretation, and issuance of a diagnostic report to the referring provider. Typical sites of service are outpatient imaging centers and hospital radiology departments; the procedure is coded as 73719 for MRI of a lower extremity other than a joint with contrast.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
26 | Professional component | Use when billing only the interpreting radiologist's service separate from technical facility charge |