Summary & Overview
CPT 76015: MR Safety Assessment, Additional 30-Minute Intervals
CPT code 76015 documents extended magnetic resonance (MR) safety assessments performed by trained clinical staff when patients have implants or foreign bodies that require careful evaluation. The code applies to each additional 30-minute interval after the initial 15 minutes and includes a written report. This service addresses patient safety in MR environments and supports appropriate imaging decisions, reducing risk of adverse events and ensuring compliance with facility safety protocols.
Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. The publication provides readers with national-level context on how 76015 is defined, where the service is typically provided (imaging centers and hospital outpatient imaging departments), and which types of clinical encounters generate the code. Readers will find benchmarks and policy-relevant information about billing practice for extended MR safety assessments, guidance on clinical documentation elements tied to the code, and comparisons across major payers where available.
The report highlights practical aspects of using 76015 in clinical workflows, the role of trained staff in MR safety evaluation, and the administrative requirements tied to a written report. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 76015 describes a service in which trained clinical staff perform a magnetic resonance (MR) safety assessment focused on implants or foreign bodies. The code represents each additional 30 minutes of assessment time after the initial 15 minutes and requires a written report documenting the evaluation.
Service Type: MR safety assessment by trained clinical staff
Typical Site of Service: Imaging center or hospital outpatient imaging department
Data not available in the input for Associated Taxonomies, ICD-10 Diagnoses, and Related Codes.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 68-year-old man with a history of coronary artery disease and prior pacemaker implantation is referred for an MRI of the lumbar spine to evaluate progressive lower extremity pain and neurogenic claudication. Because the patient has an implanted device and prior orthopedic hardware, a trained clinical staff member performs an MR safety assessment to determine whether the implant and any foreign bodies are MR-conditional, MR-unsafe, or require additional precautions. The assessment begins with review of implant documentation, device model numbers, manufacturer safety labeling, and prior imaging. The initial 15-minute safety evaluation documents device type, model verification, interrogation or device clinic report if available, and review of potential risks (heating, migration, artifact). The clinical staff then spends an additional 30–60 minutes contacting device manufacturers, obtaining device manuals or safety statements, coordinating with the radiologist and cardiology/electrophysiology teams as needed, and preparing a written MR safety report that includes recommendations for monitoring, device programming/hold parameters, and scan parameter modifications. Typical site of service is an outpatient radiology or hospital MR imaging suite staffed by trained MR safety personnel. The service is billed as incremental time units for each additional 30 minutes after the first 15 minutes using 76015 and includes a written report of findings and instructions.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
26 |