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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesDiagnostic Radiology (Diagnostic Imaging) Procedures of the AbdomenCPT cpt-74170-ct-abdomen-with-and-without-contrast
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    CPT 74170: CT Abdomen, without and with Contrast

    Medicare pays $180 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 74170 describes a computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen performed to produce cross-sectional diagnostic images obtained first without intravenous contrast and then with contrast enhancement; service type: diagnostic CT imaging; typical site of service: hospital outpatient radiology department or freestanding imaging center providing CT services.

    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 56-year-old male presents to the emergency department with acute, severe right lower quadrant abdominal pain, nausea, and low-grade fever. The emergency physician documents concern for appendicitis versus an alternative intra‑abdominal process such as renal colic or diverticulitis. The patient has no known contrast allergy and normal renal function per recent labs, so the radiology team schedules a computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen with both noncontrast and contrast-enhanced phases to evaluate for appendiceal inflammation, obstructing ureteral stone, or intra‑abdominal abscess.

    The clinical workflow: the patient is registered in radiology, screening questions for contrast allergy and renal function are reviewed, and informed consent for intravenous contrast is obtained when appropriate. A noncontrast abdominal CT is performed first to detect calcified stones and baseline anatomy. Intravenous contrast is then administered, and post-contrast arterial/venous phase images are acquired. Images are reconstructed and reviewed by the interpreting radiologist, who documents findings, impression, and whether additional imaging or image-guided intervention is required. The study is coded using 74170 for CT abdomen with and without contrast, and appropriate modifier(s) are appended per payer and clinical circumstances.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    70450Computed tomography, head or brain; without contrast materialMay be performed in parallel if concomitant head symptoms require noncontrast CT; unrelated body region.
    74160Computed tomography, abdomen; without contrast materialAlternative single-phase study when only noncontrast imaging is required (prior to contrast administration).
    74177Computed tomography, abdomen and pelvis; with contrast material, including non-contrast images when performed, and image post-processingUsed when CT of both abdomen and pelvis with contrast is performed; broader anatomic coverage than 74170.
    74022Radiologic examination, abdomen; 1 or 2 viewsPlain abdominal radiograph sometimes used initially for suspected bowel obstruction or free air before CT.
    10030Incision and drainage of hematoma, seroma or fluid collectionPotentially performed after CT-guided diagnosis of an abscess; CT findings guide procedure planning.

    Related Modifiers

    6 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…
    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…
    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…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    208000000X
    207K00000X
    171R00000X
    3418M1120X
    320700000X
    1835C0207X
    2279E0002X
    305R00000X

    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-74160-CT-ABDOMEN-WITH-CONTRAST

    CPT 74160: CT Scan of Abdomen 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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