Summary & Overview
CPT 76019: MR Implant Positioning and Safety Supervision
Headline: CPT code 76019 defines supervised implant positioning for MR safety with written documentation
Lead: CPT code 76019 identifies a physician or qualified healthcare professional service provided on the day of an MR examination to supervise positioning or immobilization of a patient’s implant to ensure safety during the MR service; the service also includes a written report. This code captures a focused, safety-driven clinical interaction tied to imaging procedures involving implanted devices.
CPT code 76019 matters nationally because MR examinations with implanted devices pose device-specific safety risks and require documented clinical oversight. Proper coding ensures capture of the clinical effort devoted to implant safety and a written safety assessment, which affects clinical workflows, documentation expectations, and payer review of MR-related services.
Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise explanation of the clinical intent for the code, typical settings where the service is performed, and what the code represents for billing and documentation processes. The publication also outlines likely benchmarks and policy considerations, clarifies clinical context around MR safety for implanted devices, and highlights documentation components tied to reimbursement and audit risk.
Data elements not provided in the input—such as associated taxonomies, specific ICD-10 pairings, and payer-specific reimbursement rates—are noted as unavailable in the source material.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 76019 describes a physician or other qualified healthcare professional service on the day of an magnetic resonance (MR) examination to supervise positioning or immobilization of a patient’s implant to ensure safety during the MR service. The service includes direct supervision of implant positioning/immobilization and a written report documenting the safety assessment and actions taken.
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Service type: Implant positioning and safety supervision for MR services
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Typical site of service: Hospital outpatient departments, imaging centers, and other facilities where MR examinations with implanted devices are performed
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Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 68-year-old male with a right total hip arthroplasty and a history of intermittent groin pain is scheduled for a diagnostic magnetic resonance (MR) scan of the pelvis to evaluate suspected peri-prosthetic soft tissue pathology. On the day of service, a radiologist or other qualified healthcare professional evaluates the implanted hip device type and manufacturer documentation, verifies MR-conditional status, and supervises precise positioning and immobilization of the implant to ensure patient and device safety during the MR exam. The provider documents device orientation, any external immobilization applied (e.g., straps, foam bolsters), and communicates restrictions to the MR technologist. A focused written report of the supervision and safety measures is completed and filed with the imaging study. Typical workflow steps: pre-scan surgical history review, device verification against implant card or records, in-person positioning/immobilization and safety checks immediately prior to MR scan, real-time supervision during positioning, and completion of a brief supervisory report in the medical record. Typical site of service is the hospital outpatient radiology department or freestanding outpatient imaging center where MR studies with implanted devices are performed.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
26 | Professional component | Use when reporting only the physician professional component of the service separate from the technical component. |