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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesDiagnostic Radiology ServicesHCPCS hcpcs-r0070-transportation-portable-x-ray-home-nursing-home
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    HCPCS R0070: Transportation of Portable X-Ray to Home or Nursing Home

    HCPCS Level II code R0070 describes transportation of portable x-ray equipment and personnel to a patient location for one patient per trip; the service type is portable radiology service and the typical site of service is home or nursing home where the x-ray is performed at the patient’s residence or long-term care facility.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Ambulance and Medical Transport Services (Ground, Air and Water) Corporate Medical Policy, Emergency Air/Water Ambulance Services Medical Guideline, Non-Emergent Ambulance Services.

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A typical patient is an elderly, homebound resident of a skilled nursing facility who requires a chest or extremity radiograph but cannot be safely transported to an outpatient imaging center due to mobility limitations, acute illness, or infection control precautions. A primary care clinician or ordering physician documents medical necessity (e.g., suspected pneumonia, hip fracture, or nonhealing wound with possible foreign body) and requests an on-site portable x‑ray service. The portable radiography team travels with a transportable x‑ray unit, positioning aids, and a technologist who performs the exam at the patient’s bedside. Images are acquired, reviewed for technical adequacy, and transmitted or provided to the ordering clinician. Billing for the trip uses R0070 to report transportation of portable x‑ray equipment and personnel to the home or nursing home for one patient per trip; image interpretation and technical components are billed separately as applicable. Documentation includes the order, reason for inability to transport, time and location of service, images performed, and final report.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    71045Radiologic examination, chest; single view, portableCommon portable chest radiograph performed at bedside; image acquisition often accompanies an R0070 transport trip.
    71046Radiologic examination, chest; 2 views, portableTwo‑view portable chest radiograph obtained during the same on‑site visit billed with transport R0070 for the trip.
    73502Radiologic examination, hip, unilateral; complete, including pelvis when performed; acute trauma, single view, portablePortable hip or pelvis radiographs for suspected fracture acquired during the portable x‑ray visit transported under R0070.
    73030Radiologic examination, shoulder; complete, minimum of 2 views, portablePortable shoulder radiographs obtained at bedside for suspected fracture or dislocation during the same trip.
    76140X‑ray guidance for needle placement (radiologic supervision and interpretation) when performedOccasionally used when portable imaging is used to guide procedures at bedside; technical and interpretive components billed separately from R0070.

    Related Modifiers

    6 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    26Modifier 26 (Professional Component) identifies and bills only the professional portion of a split service — the physician’s interpretation, report, and medical judgment — when the technical…- Use CPT Modifier -26 when you are billing only the professional component (PC) of a split‑bill eligible service—i.e., you performed the physician interpretation, medical judgment and prepared a…
    59Modifier 59 indicates a distinct procedural service when two procedures that are not normally billed together are clinically and procedurally separate. The CPT definition (as reiterated by CMS)…- Use modifier -59 to report a distinct procedural service when documentation supports that the procedure reported is not normally billed together with another service on the same day because of a…
    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…
    76Modifier -76, Repeat Procedure or Service by Same Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional, is appended when the same provider performs an identical, medically necessary procedure or…- Use modifier -76 when the same physician or other qualified health care professional performs an identical procedure or service a second (or subsequent) time on the same date of service and the…
    77Modifier 77 indicates that a previously performed procedure or service was legitimately repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional. The AMA’s CPT definition…- Use modifier 77 when a basic procedure or service already performed is repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional (for example, a second provider independently…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    251B00000X
    390200000X
    207Q00000X
    207RC0000X
    367A00000X
    2251N0400X
    207ZI0100X
    261QG0250X

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Emergency & Medical Transportation1 / 2

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Ambulance and Medical Transport Services (Ground, Air and Water) Corporate Medical Policybcbsvermont2026-10-01
    Emergency Air/Water Ambulance Services Medical GuidelineWPS Health Insurance2026-10-01
    Non-Emergent Ambulance ServicesConnectiCare2026-09-11
    Fixed Wing Air Ambulance TransportCigna2026-08-15
    Air AmbulanceAmbetter Georgia2026-08-01
    Ambulance Services (for New Mexico Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-08-01
    Ambulance Services (for Tennessee Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-08-01
    Clinical Policy: Air AmbulanceAmbetter Nevada2026-08-01
    Air AmbulanceCentene2026-08-01
    Clinical Policy: Air AmbulanceArizona Complete Health2026-08-01

    Related Codes

    HCPCS-R0075-MOBILE-XRAY-TRANSPORTATION-MULTIPLE-PATIENTS

    HCPCS Level II R0075: Transportation of Portable X-ray to Home or Nursing Home

    HCPCS-R0076-TRANSPORTATION-PORTABLE-EKG-PER-PATIENT

    HCPCS Level II R0076: Transportation of Portable EKG to Facility

    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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