Summary & Overview
CPT 77074: Skeletal Radiographic Series to Evaluate Bone Disease
CPT code 77074 defines a diagnostic radiographic series of specific bones used to assess skeletal conditions, including evaluation for metastatic disease. As a targeted imaging service, it supports clinical decision-making for oncology staging, orthopedic assessment, and follow-up of bone pathology. Nationally, this code matters because it informs payment for multi‑site skeletal imaging that differs from single‑site radiographs and has implications for care coordination between oncology, orthopedics, and radiology.
Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise review of reimbursement context and commonly observed billing modifiers, clinical scenarios where the series is used, and operational considerations for sites of service such as outpatient imaging centers and hospital radiology departments.
This publication provides benchmarks for typical use, summarizes relevant policy updates affecting radiology coding and coverage, and outlines the clinical context for ordering a skeletal radiographic series. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 77074 describes a radiographic procedure consisting of a series of X‑rays targeted at specific bones to evaluate conditions such as the spread of cancer. This service is an imaging study focused on skeletal assessment rather than a single radiograph of one site.
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Service type: Diagnostic skeletal radiographic series
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Typical site of service: Outpatient radiology department, hospital radiology suite, or imaging center
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient is an adult with a known or suspected malignancy who requires a bone survey to evaluate for osseous metastatic disease. The patient presents to an outpatient radiology department or hospital radiology suite after referral from an oncologist or primary care provider. The radiologic technologist obtains a focused series of radiographs of specific bones (commonly skull, spine, pelvis, ribs, long bones) based on clinical indication. The procedure is ordered to assess for lytic or blastic lesions, pathologic fractures, or to establish baseline extent of disease. Images are acquired using standard radiographic technique, documented in the radiology information system, and interpreted by a credentialed radiologist who reports findings to the ordering clinician. Typical sites of service are outpatient radiology centers, hospital radiology departments, or freestanding imaging centers. Indications include staging of cancer, evaluation of bone pain in a cancer patient, surveillance for spread of malignancy, or assessment of suspected pathologic fracture related to metastatic disease.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
26 | Professional component | When billing only the radiologist’s interpretation separate from technical component |
TC |