Summary & Overview
CPT 74301: Intraoperative Biliary Contrast Imaging, S&I
CPT code 74301 denotes the supervision and interpretation component for additional intraoperative radiographic films obtained during contrast imaging of the common bile duct to detect stones, strictures, or tumors. Nationally, this code matters because it separates the professional imaging interpretation from technical and operative services, supporting accurate billing for intraoperative cholangiography and related biliary imaging supervision. Clear reporting affects clinical documentation, billing compliance, and appropriate professional reimbursement across surgical practices.
Key payers addressed include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find an overview of the code’s clinical intent and service setting, cross-payer coverage considerations, common modifier use, and sample coding contexts that clarify when to report only the supervision and interpretation component. The publication also summarizes typical sites of service and the clinical scenarios—biliary surgery with contrast imaging—where the code applies.
This resource provides concise benchmarks and policy context for billing and coding teams, revenue cycle staff, and surgical providers seeking to align documentation with payer requirements. It highlights what to report when only the interpretation and supervision are performed, and flags areas where local payer policies or Medicare guidelines commonly influence coverage and reimbursement determinations.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 74301 represents imaging supervision and interpretation performed for additional intraoperative films taken when contrast imaging of the common bile duct is performed to detect stones or other obstructions such as tumors or strictures. This code is reported to represent only the supervision and interpretation component of the procedure and does not include any operative or technical services.
Service type: Imaging supervision and interpretation.
Typical site of service: Operating room or intraoperative setting during biliary surgery.
Data not available in the input.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 58-year-old patient undergoing an open or laparoscopic cholecystectomy has intraoperative concern for retained common bile duct stones or biliary obstruction. The operating team performs an intraoperative cholangiogram and requests additional contrast images to evaluate the common bile duct. A radiologist or qualified imaging physician provides imaging supervision and interpretation of the additional contrast films obtained during the procedure. The imaging physician documents the supervision of image acquisition, interprets the contrast images for stones, strictures, or mass effect, and issues a formal report to the operative team. The imaging supervision and interpretation are reported separately from the surgical service using 74301 to reflect only the S&I component for the additional intraoperative contrast films. Typical site of service is the hospital operating room or ambulatory surgery center. The typical service type is intraoperative radiologic imaging supervision and interpretation provided by a diagnostic radiologist or physician with credentialed intraoperative imaging privileges.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
26 | Professional component | Use when billing only the physician interpretation portion of a service that has distinct technical and professional components (if applicable in site split-billed situations). |