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    v1.0.31
    OpenPayerBilling CodesDiagnostic Radiology (Diagnostic Imaging) Procedures of the Gastrointestinal TractCPT cpt-74263-ct-colonography-virtual-colonoscopy
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    CPT 74263: CT Colonography (Virtual Colonoscopy)

    Medicare pays $582 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 74263 describes a CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) procedure using computed tomography to produce high-resolution two- and three-dimensional images of the colon for colorectal polyp and cancer evaluation; service type: noninvasive diagnostic imaging (CT); typical site of service: outpatient imaging center or hospital radiology department.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Achalasia and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) - Minimally Invasive Procedures - Medical Policy, Esophageal Brush Biopsy, Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Field Stimulation for Functional Abdominal Pain Disorders.

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 62-year-old average-risk adult presents for colorectal cancer screening and either cannot tolerate or declines optical colonoscopy. The provider orders a 74263 CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) to noninvasively evaluate the colon for polyps or masses. The patient undergoes bowel preparation per radiology protocol, arrives at the outpatient imaging center or hospital radiology department, and is registered. The technologist reviews allergies and contraindications, obtains IV access if contrast is planned, and performs low‑dose CT acquisition with dedicated two- and three-dimensional reconstruction of the colon. The interpreting radiologist reviews axial and reformatted images to identify polyps, masses, or extracolonic findings, documents size and location of lesions, and issues a report with recommendations (for example, optical colonoscopy referral for polyps ≥6 mm). Typical sites of service are outpatient radiology departments, hospital-based radiology, and freestanding imaging centers. Common clinical workflow steps include pre-procedure screening, bowel prep verification, image acquisition, interpretation, and communication of results to the referring clinician.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    74150Computed tomography, abdomen and pelvis; without contrast materialMay be performed if broader abdominal evaluation is required in conjunction with CT colonography for extracolonic assessment
    70450CT head/brain without contrast — Not directly related to colonographyData not available in the input
    45378Colonoscopy, flexible; diagnostic, including collection of specimen(s) by brushing or washing, when performed (separate procedure)Used as the follow-up diagnostic and therapeutic procedure when CT colonography identifies polyps requiring removal or biopsy
    G0105Colorectal cancer screening; colonoscopy on individual at high risk — HCPCS screening codeRelated screening pathway code used by payors for coverage contexts

    Related Modifiers

    7 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…
    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…
    78CPT modifier -78 indicates an unplanned, related return to the operating or procedure room by the same provider during the global postoperative period. It is appended when treatment for a…- Use modifier -78 when an unplanned, related complication during the original procedure’s global postoperative period requires the patient to return to a formal operating or procedure room and the…
    80CPT® Modifier 80 (Assistant Surgeon) is appended to a surgical CPT code when a physician (MD or DO) provides full, continuous assistance throughout the operative procedure. It is intended only for…- Use CPT Modifier -80 when a physician (MD or DO) serves as an assistant surgeon and provides full, continuous assistance throughout the entire operative procedure; append -80 to the surgical CPT…
    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…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207R00000X
    208000000X
    364SA2100X
    224L00000X
    1223G0001X
    282NR1301X
    164W00000X
    261QX0100X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    27 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    C18.9Malignant neoplasm of colon, unspecified
    C19Malignant neoplasm of rectosigmoid junction
    C20Malignant neoplasm of rectum
    D01.0Carcinoma in situ of colon
    D12.0Benign neoplasm of cecum
    D12.3Benign neoplasm of transverse colon
    D12.6Benign neoplasm of colon, unspecified
    K50.90Crohn's disease, unspecified, without complications
    K51.90Ulcerative colitis, unspecified, without complications
    K52.9Noninfective gastroenteritis and colitis, unspecified

    Showing 1–10 of 27

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Gastroenterology1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Achalasia and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) - Minimally Invasive Procedures - Medical PolicyHealth-New-England2027-02-01
    Esophageal Brush Biopsycaresourcegeorgia2026-12-01
    Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Field Stimulation for Functional Abdominal Pain Disordersbcbsvermont2026-12-01
    Gastric Pacing/Gastric Electrical Stimulation (GES)Cigna2026-11-15
    Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Field Stimulation for Disorders of Gut-Brain Interactionpremerabluecrossofwashington2026-11-06
    Percutaneous electrical nerve field stimulation for disorders of gut-brain interactionpremerabluecrossofwashington2026-11-06
    Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Field Stimulation for Disorders of Gut-Brain Interactionpremerabluecrossofwashington2026-11-06
    Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) Coverage Policyevicore2026-11-05
    Non-invasive Testing for Liver FibrosisModa Health2026-11-01
    Surgical Site of Care - Colonoscopy and Sigmoidoscopyregence2026-11-01

    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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