Summary & Overview
CPT 74150: CT Scan of Abdomen Without Contrast
CPT code 74150 denotes a non-contrast computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen that yields cross-sectional images to evaluate abdominal pathology. This diagnostic imaging code is widely used in emergency, inpatient, and outpatient settings to support clinical decision-making for abdominal pain, trauma, infectious or inflammatory conditions, and oncologic assessment. Nationally, CT imaging represents a high-volume, high-impact service line with implications for utilization management, imaging pathway design, and payer coverage policy. Key payers discussed include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise briefing on the clinical role of a non-contrast abdominal CT, common sites of service, and which payers typically cover such imaging. The publication also presents benchmarking context for utilization and reimbursement practices, recent policy developments affecting imaging authorization and appropriateness criteria, and practical coding considerations linked to service lines and care settings. This overview supports billing managers, radiology administrators, and policy analysts seeking a national perspective on how CPT code 74150 is used and steered by payer policies and clinical pathways.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 74150 describes a computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen performed without the injection of contrast material. The procedure produces cross-sectional images to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of abdominal conditions.
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Service type: Diagnostic imaging (non-contrast CT of the abdomen)
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Typical site of service: Outpatient radiology departments, hospital imaging centers, and ambulatory surgical centers where diagnostic CT imaging is performed.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 54-year-old patient presents to the emergency department with acute onset abdominal pain and no known contrast allergies. The emergency physician orders a non-contrast abdominal CT to evaluate for suspected renal stone, bowel obstruction, or intra-abdominal free air. The patient is screened for pregnancy and renal function; because the decision is to obtain cross-sectional imaging without intravenous contrast, a CT of the abdomen without contrast is performed using standard departmental protocols. The technologist acquires axial and reformatted images and forwards them to the interpreting radiologist. The radiologist performs image review, documents findings (for example, ureteral calculi, dilated bowel loops, or pneumoperitoneum), and finalizes the report. Billing is submitted for 74150 to reflect the CT of the abdomen without contrast. The typical site of service is the hospital radiology department, emergency department imaging suite, or an outpatient imaging center.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
26 | Professional component | Use when billing only the interpreting physician’s component separate from technical services. |
TC |