CPT 74182 MRI Abdomen With Contrast Reimbursement

CPT code 74182 represents MRI of the abdominal structures and organs performed with contrast. As a common diagnostic imaging code, it supports evaluation of liver, pancreas, spleen, kidneys, adrenal glands, bowel, vascular structures, and other intra-abdominal pathology. Accurate coding for contrast-enhanced abdominal MRI affects clinical decision-making, utilization management, and payment processes across national payers.

Key payers discussed include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. The publication provides a national overview of billing and clinical context for CPT code 74182, describing typical sites of service and common clinical indications. Readers will find an outline of standard use cases, payer coverage considerations, and benchmarking context where available. The report flags where input data is incomplete and notes when specific payer policy details are not provided.

This summary is intended to inform billing staff, radiology providers, revenue cycle analysts, and policy professionals about the clinical scope and administrative significance of CPT code 74182. The content covers clinical context, service setting, and the kinds of documentation and authorization processes that commonly accompany contrast-enhanced abdominal MRI, aiming to support consistent coding and transparent communication with national payers.

Billing Code Overview

CPT code 74182 describes magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the abdomen performed with contrast. The procedure involves cross-sectional imaging of the abdominal organs and structures using MRI techniques with intravenous or oral contrast to enhance visualization.

Service type: Diagnostic imaging — MRI with contrast of the abdomen

Typical site of service: Outpatient imaging centers, hospital outpatient departments, and specialty radiology clinics

Clinical Context

A 54-year-old patient presents with progressive right upper quadrant abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, and abnormal liver function tests. The ordering clinician requests cross-sectional imaging to evaluate for hepatic lesions and biliary obstruction. The radiology team schedules a contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the abdomen. On arrival, the patient is screened for MRI safety (implants, claustrophobia, renal function for gadolinium-based contrast), intravenous access is obtained, and informed consent for contrast is confirmed. The MRI technologist performs sequences for liver, pancreas, spleen, adrenals, and biliary tree, including pre- and post-contrast dynamic imaging. The interpreting radiologist documents findings, provides a diagnostic report, and communicates critical results to the ordering provider. Billing is submitted for 74182 to capture MRI of abdominal structures with contrast when the full technical component and the professional interpretation are included according to payer rules.

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`26`	Professional component	Use when reporting only the interpreting physician's service separate from the technical component.
`TC`

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
2085R0200X	Diagnostic Radiology	Most common specialty performing and interpreting abdominal MRI.
207K00000X	Radiology — Nuclear Medicine	Sometimes involved when combined MR and nuclear studies or hybrid planning occur.
2084P0800X	Gastroenterology	May order and coordinate imaging for hepatobiliary and pancreatic indications.
261QM0800X	Hospitalist	May request inpatient abdominal MRI for acute workup.
207L00000X	Neuroradiology	Not typical for abdominal MRI but can contribute when specialized MRI physics or sequences are required.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`K76.0`	Fatty change of liver, not elsewhere classified	Common incidental or underlying liver condition evaluated on abdominal MRI.
`K74.60`	Unspecified cirrhosis of liver	MRI assesses for regenerative nodules, portal hypertension, and focal lesions.
`C22.0`	Liver cell carcinoma	MRI with contrast characterizes hepatic masses and vascular involvement.
`K80.20`	Calculus of gallbladder without cholecystitis	MRI (MRCP sequences) evaluates biliary calculi and ductal dilation.
`K86.0`	Alcoholic acute pancreatitis	Contrast-enhanced MRI assesses pancreatic inflammation, necrosis, and complications.
`C25.9`	Malignant neoplasm of pancreas, unspecified	MRI helps stage pancreatic tumors and evaluate resectability.
`R10.11`	Right upper quadrant pain	Common presenting symptom prompting abdominal MRI to evaluate hepatobiliary causes.
`R63.4`	Abnormal weight loss	Non-specific symptom that can prompt cross-sectional abdominal imaging to identify malignancy or chronic disease.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`74181`	Magnetic resonance imaging, abdomen; without contrast material	Often performed when contrast is contraindicated or as a baseline study prior to contrast-enhanced sequences.
`74183`	Magnetic resonance imaging, abdomen; without and with contrast material(s)	Alternative code when both non-contrast and contrast-enhanced imaging are performed in the same session.
`72197`	Magnetic resonance imaging, pelvis; without contrast and with contrast material(s)	Performed when pathology spans abdomen and pelvis requiring additional coverage beyond `74182`.
`76000`	Fluoroscopic guidance for needle placement (eg, biopsy)	May be used if the MRI findings prompt image-guided biopsy; fluoroscopic guidance is an option depending on approach.
`76942`	Ultrasonic guidance for needle placement	May be billed when ultrasound guidance is used in follow-up procedures prompted by MRI findings.

OpenPayer

Summary & Overview

CPT 74182: MRI of Abdomen With Contrast