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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesDiagnostic Radiology (Diagnostic Imaging) Procedures of the Gastrointestinal TractCPT cpt-74261-ct-colonography-no-contrast
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    CPT 74261: CT Colon, Non-Contrast

    Medicare pays $284 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 74261 describes a computed tomography (CT) exam of the colon performed without intravenous or oral contrast, intended to produce cross-sectional imaging of the colorectal lumen and wall; service type: diagnostic CT imaging of the abdomen/pelvis focused on the colon; typical site of service: outpatient imaging center or hospital radiology department.

    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 typical patient is a 58-year-old adult referred by gastroenterology for a noninvasive evaluation of the colon because of intermittent rectal bleeding, change in bowel habits, or inability to tolerate conventional colonoscopy. The CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) is scheduled after standard bowel preparation and rectal insufflation with carbon dioxide or air. The patient arrives at an outpatient radiology imaging center or hospital outpatient CT suite; intravenous contrast is not administered for this study. A CT technologist positions the patient supine and prone as required, obtains thin-section helical CT images of the abdomen and pelvis focused on the colon, and reconstructs two- and three-dimensional images for polyp detection. A radiologist interprets the study, documents findings (polyps, masses, diverticulosis, colitis, or extracolonic incidental findings), and issues a report to the referring provider. Typical encounter duration includes preparation and scanning in an outpatient radiology department or imaging center with the interpreting provider being a diagnostic radiologist with abdominal imaging expertise.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    74261Computed tomography, colon, diagnostic, without contrastPrimary procedure: CT colonography without contrast as described.
    74262Computed tomography, colon, diagnostic, with contrastAlternative when intravenous contrast is administered to evaluate extracolonic findings or suspected enhancing lesions.
    74263Computed tomography, colon, diagnostic, without contrast, followed by contrast with delayed imagesUse when a non-contrast study is followed by contrast-enhanced imaging for additional characterization.
    74270Computed tomography, colon, diagnostic, with virtual colonoscopy CPT (additional codes for multiplanar reconstructions)Related advanced reconstruction or technique codes may be used to report 3-D rendering and interpretation when indicated.
    74220Radiologic examination, colon, barium enema (single or double contrast)Alternative imaging modality for colonic evaluation when CT colonography is not appropriate or available.

    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…
    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…
    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…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207RR0500X
    363L00000X
    207K00000X
    102X00000X
    213ES0103X
    1835P1400X
    2083S0010X
    111NP0017X

    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-74240-UPPER-GASTROINTESTINAL-SERIES-BARIUM-CONTRAST

    CPT 74240: Upper Gastrointestinal Barium Contrast Study

    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

    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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