Summary & Overview
CPT 76140: Review of External X‑ray with Written Consultation Report
CPT code 76140 denotes a consultative radiology service in which a provider reviews an X‑ray performed at another site and issues a written report. This code captures interpretation and consultative documentation when the consultant does not perform the imaging but reviews external imaging to provide diagnostic or consultative input. Nationally, this service matters for care coordination, documentation of expert review, and billing clarity when imaging is performed off‑site.
Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of coding intent and clinical context, typical sites of service, common modifiers, and which payer policies commonly address remote image review and consultant documentation. The publication outlines benchmarks where available, summarizes relevant policy trends affecting payment and documentation, and highlights operational considerations for coding and claims submission where data are provided.
This summary is written for a national audience and is intended to help coding managers, revenue cycle staff, and clinicians understand the purpose of CPT code 76140, the typical clinical scenarios in which it applies, and the payer landscape that most often governs coverage and reimbursement. Data not available in the input are noted where applicable.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 76140 describes a consultation in which a provider reviews an X‑ray image that was performed at another site and issues a written consultation report. The service is a remote image review and consultative report based on externally performed radiographic imaging.
Service type: Consultative radiology review with written report
Typical site of service: Facility or office setting where the consultant is located; image origin is an external imaging site.
Data not available in the input.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A patient presents to an orthopedic clinic for follow-up of persistent knee pain after a motor vehicle collision. The treating orthopedic surgeon receives radiographic images (X‑rays) of the knee taken at an outside urgent care center. The surgeon reviews the transmitted images, compares them with the patient's history and prior imaging in the chart, and documents a written consultation report summarizing image findings, impression (for example: nondisplaced tibial plateau fracture vs. osteoarthritic change), and recommended next steps (additional imaging such as dedicated radiographs or advanced imaging, immobilization, or referral to physical therapy). The workflow includes verification of image authenticity and date, professional interpretation by the consulting physician, preparation of a signed report placed in the medical record, and transmission of the report back to the referring facility and the patient’s electronic health record for continuity of care. Billing uses 76140 to report review of an X‑ray performed elsewhere with a written consultation report, typically billed by the interpreting physician in an outpatient specialty clinic, radiology practice, or hospital outpatient department when only an outside image review and documented consult is provided without repeat technical imaging at the interpreting site.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
26 | Professional component | Use when reporting only the physician interpretation of diagnostic imaging (professional service) separate from the technical component performed elsewhere. |
| TC | Technical component | Use when billing for the technical component; generally not applicable to 76140 because the imaging was performed at another site unless the reporting provider also bills the technical component.
| 76 | Repeat procedure by same physician | Use if the same physician repeats review of the outside images on the same date for a separate documented reason.
| 77 | Repeat procedure by another physician | Use if a different physician repeats the outside image review for a separate documented reason.
| 59 | Distinct procedural service | Use when the image review/consult report is distinct from other services provided on the same day (for example, a separate office visit) and bundling edits would otherwise apply.
| 50 | Bilateral procedure | Use if separate written reports are prepared for bilateral studies when modifier policy requires explicit bilateral reporting (rare for single image review but applicable if coding rules require).
| 52 | Reduced services | Use when the interpretation/consult report is for a partially reduced service (for example incomplete review due to missing views) and documentation supports reduced work.
| 53 | Discontinued procedure | Use if the image review/consult was begun but discontinued for extenuating circumstances and documentation supports cancellation.
| AE | Services furnished in part by an Anesthesiologist Assistants (not in provided list) | Data not available in the input. |
| TC | Technical component | Data not available in the input. |
| Taxonomy Code | Specialty | Notes |
|---|---|---|
207P00000X | Orthopedic Surgery | Orthopedic surgeons commonly review outside radiographs for fracture, post‑op assessment, and surgical planning. |
| 208600000X | Radiology | Diagnostic radiologists perform formal review and provide official interpretive reports of outside imaging.
| 207L00000X | Sports Medicine (Orthopedics) | Sports medicine physicians often review outside X‑rays for acute injuries and return‑to‑play decisions.
| 207RH0000X | Hand Surgery | Hand surgeons review outside radiographs for fracture management and surgical planning.
| 207X00000X | General Surgery | General surgeons may review outside radiographs when imaging affects surgical decision making.
Related Diagnoses
| ICD-10 Code | Description | Clinical Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| Data not available in the input. | Data not available in the input. | Data not available in the input. |
Related CPT Codes
| CPT Code | Description | Relationship to This Procedure |
|---|---|---|
71045 | Radiologic examination, chest; single view, frontal | Performed at the originating site; 76140 documents review of an outside chest X‑ray when interpreting physician does not repeat imaging. |
| 73030 | Radiologic examination, humerus; two views | Example of an originating-site X‑ray that may be reviewed by a consulting orthopedist and reported with 76140.
| 73560 | Radiologic examination, knee; 2 or 3 views | Common source study for an outside knee radiograph reviewed under 76140 for fracture or osteoarthritis evaluation.
| 74176 | Computed tomography, abdomen and pelvis; without contrast, each abdomen and pelvis | If additional advanced imaging is recommended after outside image review, CT codes may be ordered following the consult documented with 76140.
| 70551 | Magnetic resonance (MRI), brain, without contrast | Advanced imaging that may be recommended in the consult report when outside radiographs are inadequate to answer clinical questions identified during the review.