Summary & Overview
HCPCS C8910: Magnetic Resonance Angiography Without Contrast, Chest
HCPCS Level II code C8910 represents magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) of the chest performed without intravenous contrast, excluding direct myocardial imaging. Nationally, non-contrast chest MRA is an important diagnostic tool for evaluating thoracic vessels when contrast use is contraindicated or undesirable, supporting vascular assessment while minimizing nephrotoxic or allergic risk. Key payers in this overview include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise explanation of the code’s clinical scope and settings, payer coverage landscape, and the kinds of benchmarks and policy items typically relevant to imaging codes—such as reimbursement ranges, utilization patterns, and prior authorization or medical necessity considerations. The summary also highlights clinical context for when non-contrast chest MRA is used and typical sites of service. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable. This publication is intended to inform billing staff, clinical coders, and policy analysts about the code’s definition, typical operational use, and the payer mix addressed in related analyses.
Billing Code Overview
HCPCS Level II code C8910 describes magnetic resonance angiography without contrast of the chest (excluding myocardium). The service is an imaging procedure that uses MRI technology to visualize the chest vasculature without intravenous contrast agents.
Service Type: Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA) without contrast
Typical Site of Service: Hospital outpatient imaging center, ambulatory imaging center, or other outpatient radiology facility
Data not available in the input.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 62-year-old male with a history of hypertension and peripheral arterial disease presents with progressive exertional dyspnea and atypical chest pain. The referring cardiologist requests imaging to evaluate the thoracic arterial vasculature for suspected great vessel stenosis and to assess for proximal pulmonary arterial abnormalities without use of iodinated or gadolinium contrast due to prior contrast reaction and borderline renal function. The patient is scheduled for a magnetic resonance angiography without contrast of the chest (C8910).
Workflow: The patient completes MRI safety screening and renal function review. The technologist performs non-contrast MRA sequences (time-of-flight, phase-contrast, and black-blood techniques) targeting the aortic arch, great vessels, and central pulmonary arteries. A radiologist interprets images and issues a report detailing vessel caliber, flow dynamics, and any stenosis, dissection, or thrombus. The imaging study is communicated to the ordering cardiologist for clinical correlation and management planning.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
26 | Professional component | Use when billing only the physician interpretation separate from the technical component. |