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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesDiagnostic Radiology (Diagnostic Imaging) Procedures of the AbdomenCPT cpt-74160-ct-abdomen-with-contrast
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    CPT 74160: CT Scan of Abdomen with Contrast

    Medicare pays $160 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 74160 describes a computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen with intravenous contrast performed to produce cross-sectional images for diagnosis and treatment of abdominal conditions; this is an imaging service typically rendered in an outpatient radiology or hospital imaging department using contrast material to enhance visualization of abdominal organs and vasculature.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Field Stimulation for Functional Abdominal Pain Disorders, Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) Coverage Policy, Radiofrequency Therapy for Fecal Incontinence.

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    Table of contents

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 58-year-old male presents to the emergency department with acute, severe right upper quadrant abdominal pain, fever, and elevated white blood cell count. The emergency physician orders an abdominal computed tomography (CT) with intravenous contrast to evaluate for suspected acute cholecystitis, choledocholithiasis, liver abscess, or other intra-abdominal inflammatory or obstructive processes. The patient is screened for contrast allergies and kidney function; informed consent for contrast administration is obtained per facility protocol. The radiology technologist performs the 74160 exam (CT abdomen with contrast), obtaining axial and reformatted cross-sectional images from the diaphragm through the iliac crests. The radiologist interprets the enhanced images, documents findings (for example, gallbladder wall thickening, pericholecystic fluid, biliary dilation, or hepatic lesions), and issues a report to the ordering provider to guide urgent management decisions such as antibiotics, percutaneous drainage, or surgical consultation.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    74176Computed tomography, abdomen and pelvis; with contrast material(s)Broader exam that includes both abdomen and pelvis when clinical concern spans both regions; often ordered if pelvic pathology is also suspected
    70450CT head/brain without contrast (routine head CT)Not routinely paired with abdominal CT but may be performed in trauma patients who require multisystem CT imaging; included here as an example of additional region imaging in polytrauma
    74177CT abdomen and pelvis; without contrast, followed by contrast and further sequencesAlternative contrast protocol sometimes used when both noncontrast and contrast phases are required for characterization (e.g., detection of calcifications vs enhancement)
    49440Percutaneous drainage procedure, abdominal abscessTherapeutic or diagnostic procedure that may follow a contrast-enhanced CT diagnosis of an intra-abdominal abscess
    74170CT abdomen and pelvis, without contrastPerformed when contrast is contraindicated (e.g., severe contrast allergy, inadequate renal function) or as an initial noncontrast survey prior to 74160 when indicated

    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…
    50Modifier –50 (Bilateral Procedure) is appended to a CPT code when an identical procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures during the same operative session. The AMA states to add…- Use modifier -50 when the same CPT surgical, diagnostic, or radiology procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures (both sides of the body) during the same operative/session by the same…
    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…
    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…
    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
    207L00000X
    2080P0208X
    208D00000X
    364SP0812X
    1835P1200X
    2472E0500X
    390200000X
    146L00000X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    27 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    A09Infectious gastroenteritis and colitis, unspecified
    B34.9Viral infection, unspecified
    C18.9Malignant neoplasm of colon, unspecified
    C20Malignant neoplasm of rectum
    C56.9Malignant neoplasm of unspecified ovary
    E86.0Dehydration
    I82.401Acute embolism and thrombosis of unspecified deep veins of right lower extremity
    I82.409Acute embolism and thrombosis of unspecified deep veins of unspecified lower extremity
    K29.70Gastritis, unspecified, without bleeding
    K35.80Unspecified acute appendicitis

    Showing 1–10 of 27

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Gastroenterology1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Field Stimulation for Functional Abdominal Pain Disordersbcbsvermont2026-12-01
    Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) Coverage Policyevicore2026-11-05
    Radiofrequency Therapy for Fecal IncontinenceCigna2026-10-15
    Magnetic Sphincter Augmentation for the Treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)univerahealthcare2026-10-15
    High-Resolution Anoscopy (HRA)Premera Bluecross2026-10-01
    Gastroesophageal and Gastrointestinal (GI) Services and ProceduresColorado Rocky Mountain Health Plans2026-10-01
    Serum Testing for Hepatic Fibrosis in the Evaluation and Monitoring of Chronic Liver DiseaseOscar Health2026-10-01
    Fecal Analysis in the Diagnosis of Intestinal Dysbiosis and Fecal Microbiota Transplant TestingOscar Health2026-10-01
    Pancreatic Enzyme Testing for Acute PancreatitisOscar Health2026-10-01
    Helicobacter pylori TestingOscar Health2026-10-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-74018-SINGLE-ABDOMEN-XRAY-VIEW

    CPT 74018: Single-View Abdominal X‑Ray

    CPT-74019-ABDOMEN-XRAY-TWO-VIEWS

    CPT 74019: Abdominal X‑ray, Two Views

    CPT-74021-ABDOMINAL-RADIOGRAPHIC-3-OR-MORE-VIEWS

    CPT 74021: Abdominal X‑ray, Three or More Views

    CPT-74022-ACUTE-ABDOMEN-SERIES-WITH-CHEST-VIEW

    CPT 74022: Radiographs of Abdomen with Single Chest View for Acute Abdomen

    CPT-74150-CT-ABDOMEN-NON-CONTRAST

    CPT 74150: CT Abdomen, Noncontrast

    CPT-74170-CT-ABDOMEN-WITH-AND-WITHOUT-CONTRAST

    CPT 74170: CT Abdomen, without and with Contrast

    CPT-74174-CT-ANGIOGRAPHY-ABDOMEN-PELVIS-CONTRAST

    CPT 74174: CT Angiography of Abdomen and Pelvis with Contrast

    CPT-74175-ABDOMINAL-CT-ANGIOGRAPHY-CONTRAST

    CPT 74175: CT Angiography of Abdomen with Contrast

    CPT-74176-CT-ABDOMEN-PELVIS-WITHOUT-CONTRAST

    CPT 74176: CT Abdomen and Pelvis Without Contrast

    CPT-74177-CT-ABDOMEN-PELVIS-WITH-CONTRAST

    CPT 74177: CT Abdomen and Pelvis With Contrast

    Showing 1–10 of 16

    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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