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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesDiagnostic Radiology (Diagnostic Imaging) Procedures of the Gastrointestinal TractCPT cpt-74240-upper-gastrointestinal-series-barium-contrast
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    CPT 74240: Upper Gastrointestinal Barium Contrast Study

    Medicare pays $85 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 74240 describes a barium contrast imaging series of the upper gastrointestinal tract, capturing the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum with scout and any delayed films as performed; this radiologic diagnostic service is an upper GI series with small-bowel follow-through elements typically performed in an ambulatory radiology department or hospital radiology suite using fluoroscopic and radiographic techniques to evaluate structural and motility abnormalities.

    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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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 54-year-old outpatient presents with progressive dysphagia and intermittent epigastric pain. The referring gastroenterologist orders a barium upper gastrointestinal (UGI) series to evaluate structural abnormalities of the esophagus, stomach, and proximal duodenum. The clinical workflow: the patient arrives at an imaging center or hospital radiology department (typical site of service: outpatient radiology suite or hospital radiology department). Pre-procedure screening confirms fasting status and no contraindications to barium contrast. A scout abdominal film is obtained, followed by fluoroscopic imaging while the patient ingests barium sulfate. Multiple views of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenal bulb are captured, with spot radiographs and delayed films as clinically indicated. Radiology technologists perform the exam; the interpreting radiologist documents findings, generates the report, and signs the final study. Results are communicated to the referring provider for further management.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    74270Radiologic examination, small intestine, follow-through; completePerformed when contrast is followed distally to evaluate the small bowel beyond the duodenum following an UGI series
    74018Radiologic examination, abdomen; acute series, minimum of 2 viewsOften performed as scout or complementary abdominal radiographs when evaluating acute abdominal symptoms in conjunction with UGI series
    71045Radiologic examination, chest; single view, frontalMay be obtained to evaluate for aspiration or baseline chest status in patients with swallowing dysfunction before or after UGI series
    76942Ultrasonic guidance for needle placement (eg, biopsy, aspiration, injection)Occasionally used in the same clinical episode for adjunct procedures when ultrasound-guided interventions are required
    P9712Radiology, barium sulfate, oral, diagnostic, per study (symbolic supply code)Supplies/contrast coding that may be billed by the facility or supplier in conjunction with the UGI study

    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…
    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…
    91Modifier 91 — “Repeat Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory Test” — is appended when the exact same CPT laboratory test is performed more than once for the same patient on the same day because serial,…- Use modifier 91 when the exact same CPT laboratory test is performed more than once on the same patient on the same date because serial or repeated testing is medically necessary to monitor…
    22Modifier –22 (Increased Procedural Services) is used when a reported procedure is substantially more extensive than normally required. The CPT Manual and CMS state it may be appended only when the…- When to use: Append modifier -22 to a procedural CPT code when the service performed is substantially more extensive than the usual service described by that code — i.e., the procedure required…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    261QR0400X
    207K00000X
    246Z00000X
    174400000X
    242T00000X
    101YM0800X
    207RA0002X
    193400000X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    28 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    K21.9Gastro-esophageal reflux disease without esophagitis
    K22.2Esophageal obstruction
    K25.9Gastric ulcer, unspecified as acute or chronic, without hemorrhage or perforation
    K26.9Duodenal ulcer, unspecified as acute or chronic, without hemorrhage or perforation
    K28.9Gastrojejunal ulcer, unspecified as acute or chronic, without hemorrhage or perforation
    K29.00Acute gastritis without bleeding
    K29.70Gastritis, unspecified, without bleeding
    K30Functional dyspepsia
    K31.89Other diseases of stomach and duodenum
    K43.9Ventral hernia without obstruction or gangrene

    Showing 1–10 of 28

    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-74210-PHARYNX-CERVICAL-ESOPHAGUS-CONTRAST-STUDY

    CPT 74210: Radiologic Exam of Pharynx and Cervical Esophagus with Contrast

    CPT-74220-ESOPHAGRAM-FLUOROSCOPIC-BARIUM-SWALLOW

    CPT 74220: Fluoroscopic Esophagram (Barium Swallow)

    CPT-74221-DOUBLE-CONTRAST-ESOPHAGRAM-BARIUM-EFFERVESCENT

    CPT 74221: Double-Contrast Esophagram with Barium and Effervescent Agent

    CPT-74230-VIDEOFLUOROSCOPIC-SWALLOW-STUDY

    CPT 74230: Videofluoroscopic Swallowing Study

    CPT-74235-ESOPHAGEAL-FOREIGN-BODY-REMOVAL-IMAGING-INTERPRETATION

    CPT 74235: Imaging Supervision for Esophageal Foreign Body Removal

    CPT-74246-UPPER-GI-DOUBLE-CONTRAST-FLUOROSCOPY

    CPT 74246: Upper GI Series with Air and High-Density Barium

    CPT-74248-SMALL-INTESTINE-FOLLOW-THROUGH-AFTER-UPPER-GASTROINTESTINAL-STUDY

    CPT 74248: Small Intestine Follow-Through, Multiple Series

    CPT-74250-SMALL-BOWEL-SINGLE-CONTRAST-BARIUM-STUDY

    CPT 74250: Small Bowel Single‑Contrast Barium Study

    CPT-74251-SMALL-BOWEL-DOUBLE-CONTRAST-ENTERIC-RADIOGRAPHY

    CPT 74251: Small Bowel Double-Contrast Enteroclysis

    CPT-74261-CT-COLONOGRAPHY-NO-CONTRAST

    CPT 74261: CT Colon, Non-Contrast

    Showing 1–10 of 25

    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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