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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesProcedures / Professional ServicesHCPCS hcpcs-g9557-chest-neck-ct-mri-report-no-thyroid-nodule-under-1cm
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    HCPCS G9557: Final Chest/Neck CT, CTA, MRI or MRA Report (No Thyroid Nodule <1.0 cm)

    HCPCS Level II code G9557 describes final radiology reports for chest or neck CT, CTA, MRI, or MRA studies that document either no thyroid nodule found or an incidentally found thyroid nodule smaller than 1.0 cm; the service is interpretation and reporting of advanced cross-sectional imaging and the typical site of service is an outpatient radiology or hospital imaging department.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) Coverage Policy, Magnetic Sphincter Augmentation for the Treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), Serum Testing for Hepatic Fibrosis in the Evaluation and Monitoring of Chronic Liver Disease.

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    Table of contents

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 56-year-old patient with chest pain and shortness of breath is referred for cross-sectional imaging to evaluate thoracic vascular pathology. The patient undergoes a contrast-enhanced CT angiography (CTA) of the chest to assess for pulmonary embolism, aortic dissection, or other intrathoracic vascular or mediastinal abnormalities. The imaging study includes formal image acquisition, radiologist interpretation, and a final written report. The final report documents the absence of any thyroid nodule ≥ 1.0 cm and either notes an incidental thyroid nodule < 1.0 cm or states that no thyroid nodule was identified. Typical workflow steps: ordering clinician places the imaging order, scheduler registers the patient for an outpatient or emergency radiology encounter, technologist performs the CT/CTA/MRI/MRA of the chest or neck, images are uploaded to PACS, a board-certified radiologist reviews and dictates a final report, and the report is released to the referring clinician and integrated into the medical record for billing using code G9557 when the report documents no incidentally found thyroid nodule ≥ 1.0 cm.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    71260Computed tomography, thorax; with contrast material(s)Commonly performed when detailed evaluation of chest vasculature or parenchyma is required prior to radiologist final report captured by G9557.
    71275Computed tomography, thorax; angiography, with contrast material(s), including non-contrast images when performedUsed for CT angiography of the chest to evaluate pulmonary embolism or aortic pathology; images are interpreted and summarized in the final report.
    70551Magnetic resonance imaging, brain; without contrast material (included as example of MRI technical code)Not directly chest/neck but included as an MRI modality example — for neck MRI studies analogous chest/neck MRI codes are used and the radiology final report corresponds to G9557 when applicable.
    70543Magnetic resonance imaging, neck; without contrast material, followed by contrast material(s) and further sequencesMR or MRA of the neck performed to evaluate vascular or soft-tissue neck pathology; final report may document absence of clinically significant thyroid nodules and map to G9557.
    74177Computed tomography, abdomen and pelvis; with contrast material(s)Performed in conjunction with chest imaging for comprehensive oncologic or vascular evaluation; interpretation complements chest imaging and reporting workflow.

    Related Modifiers

    5 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    22Modifier –22 (Increased Procedural Services) is used when a reported procedure is substantially more extensive than normally required. The CPT Manual and CMS state it may be appended only when the…- When to use: Append modifier -22 to a procedural CPT code when the service performed is substantially more extensive than the usual service described by that code — i.e., the procedure required…
    23Modifier -23 (Unusual Anesthesia) is used on anesthesia service CPT codes when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia…- Use modifier -23 only on anesthesia CPT codes (00100–01999) when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia because of…
    52Modifier ‑52 (Reduced Services) indicates that a service or procedure was partially reduced or omitted at the provider’s discretion, allowing reporting of the basic procedure number with a qualifier…- Use modifier -52 when a physician or qualified health professional electively reduces or omits part of a procedure or service (for example, performing fewer required views or omitting a portion of…
    53Modifier 53 (Discontinued Procedure) signals that a surgical or diagnostic service was begun by the physician but terminated because of extenuating circumstances that threatened the patient’s…- Use modifier -53 when a physician/qualified healthcare professional has started a surgical or diagnostic procedure (e.g., anesthesia administered, incision or scope insertion) and then discontinues…
    62Modifier 62 indicates that two surgeons function as co‑surgeons, each performing distinct parts of the same primary surgical procedure. It is appended to the primary procedure code (and any…- Use modifier -62 when two surgeons act as co‑surgeons (both primary surgeons) on a single definitive primary procedure, each performing distinct parts of the same surgical procedure (append -62 to…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy CodeSpecialtyNotes
    207RC0000XCardiovascular Disease PhysicianAn internist who specializes in diseases of the heart and blood vessels and manages complex cardiac conditions such as heart attacks and life-threaten…
    2084P0800XPsychiatry PhysicianA Psychiatrist specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of mental disorders, emotional disorders, psychotic disorders, mood disorders, …
    207RI0200XInfectious Disease PhysicianAn internist who deals with infectious diseases of all types and in all organ systems. Conditions requiring selective use of antibiotics call for this…
    208D00000XGeneral Practice PhysicianA physician who specializes in the general practice of diagnosing, treating, and managing patients with a variety of illnesses and conditions.
    207L00000XAnesthesiology PhysicianAn anesthesiologist is trained to provide pain relief and maintenance, or restoration, of a stable condition during and immediately following an opera…
    156FX1900XOrthoptistAn orthoptist is an allied health professional skilled in evaluation and treatment of children and adults with eye movement difficulties. Their specia…
    2471M1202XMagnetic Resonance Imaging Radiologic TechnologistA radiologic technologist who specializes in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and is appropriately educated and trained, consistent with nationally re…
    207V00000XObstetrics & Gynecology PhysicianAn obstetrician/gynecologist possesses special knowledge, skills and professional capability in the medical and surgical care of the female reproducti…

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    27 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    C34.90Malignant neoplasm of unspecified part of unspecified bronchus or lung
    C50.911Malignant neoplasm of unspecified site of right female breast
    C77.9Secondary and unspecified malignant neoplasm of lymph node, unspecified
    C78.00Secondary malignant neoplasm of unspecified lung
    C79.31Secondary malignant neoplasm of brain
    C79.51Secondary malignant neoplasm of bone
    G44.1Vascular headache, not elsewhere classified
    G47.30Sleep apnea, unspecified
    I20.9Angina pectoris, unspecified
    I26.99Other pulmonary embolism without acute cor pulmonale

    Showing 1–10 of 27

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Gastroenterology1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) Coverage Policyevicore2026-11-05
    Magnetic Sphincter Augmentation for the Treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)univerahealthcare2026-10-15
    Serum Testing for Hepatic Fibrosis in the Evaluation and Monitoring of Chronic Liver DiseaseOscar Health2026-10-01
    Fecal Analysis in the Diagnosis of Intestinal Dysbiosis and Fecal Microbiota Transplant TestingOscar Health2026-10-01
    Pancreatic Enzyme Testing for Acute PancreatitisOscar Health2026-10-01
    Helicobacter pylori TestingOscar Health2026-10-01
    Celiac Disease TestingOscar Health2026-10-01
    Laboratory Testing for the Diagnosis of Inflammatory Bowel DiseaseOscar Health2026-10-01
    Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Field Stimulation (PENFS)Cigna2026-09-15
    Colorectal Cancer ScreeningBlue Cross Blue Shield - New Mexico2026-09-04

    Related Codes

    HCPCS-G9490-HOME-ASSESSMENT-NON-HOMEBOUND

    HCPCS G9490: Home Visit Patient Assessment for Non-Homebound Beneficiary

    HCPCS-G0008-INFLUENZA-VACCINE-ADMINISTRATION

    HCPCS G0008: Administration of Influenza Virus Vaccine

    HCPCS-G0009-PNEUMOCOCCAL-VACCINE-ADMINISTRATION

    HCPCS G0009: Administration of Pneumococcal Vaccine

    HCPCS-G0010-HEPATITIS-B-VACCINE-ADMINISTRATION

    HCPCS G0010: Administration of Hepatitis B Vaccine

    HCPCS-G0011-PREP-COUNSELING-HIV-RISK-REDUCTION-ADHERENCE

    HCPCS G0011: Individual PrEP Counseling, HIV Risk Assessment

    HCPCS-G0012-PRE-EXPOSURE-PROPHYLAXIS-INJECTION-HIV-PREVENTION

    HCPCS G0012: Injection of PrEP Drug for HIV Prevention

    HCPCS-G0013-PREP-INDIVIDUAL-COUNSELING-HIV-RISK-REDUCTION

    HCPCS G0013: Individual PrEP Counseling by Clinical Staff

    HCPCS-G0017-PSYCHOTHERAPY-CRISIS-FIRST-60-MINUTES-NON-OFFICE

    HCPCS G0017: Psychotherapy for Crisis, First 60 Minutes

    HCPCS-G0018-PSYCHOTHERAPY-CRISIS-ADDITIONAL-30-MINUTES-NON-OFFICE

    HCPCS G0018: Psychotherapy for Crisis, Additional 30 Minutes

    HCPCS-G0019-COMMUNITY-HEALTH-INTEGRATION-SDOH-CARE-COORDINATION

    HCPCS G0019: Community Health Integration, Person-Centered Assessment

    Showing 1–10 of 1996

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
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