Summary & Overview
CPT 70548: Magnetic Resonance Angiography of the Head with and without Contrast
CPT code 70548 represents magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) of the head, performed first without contrast and then with contrast material, including further imaging sequences. This advanced radiology procedure is critical for assessing cerebral blood vessels and is widely used in the diagnosis and management of neurological and vascular conditions. The service is typically provided in outpatient hospital settings, reflecting its accessibility and importance in routine clinical care.
Major national payers covering this procedure include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, Medicare, and UnitedHealthcare. The publication offers a comprehensive overview of payer coverage, clinical context, and relevant billing benchmarks for 70548. Readers will gain insight into policy updates, coding practices, and the clinical significance of MRA head imaging, as well as its relationship to other radiology codes. The summary also highlights common modifiers and associated taxonomies, providing a clear understanding of how this procedure fits within broader diagnostic radiology services. This information is essential for healthcare professionals, administrators, and policy analysts seeking to stay informed about national trends and requirements for MRA head procedures.
CPT Code Overview
CPT code 70548 describes a magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) of the head performed without contrast material, followed by imaging with contrast material and additional sequences. This procedure is a specialized radiology service used to evaluate blood vessels in the head, providing detailed images for diagnostic purposes. The typical site of service for this procedure is an outpatient hospital setting, classified as Place of Service 22. MRA of the head is essential for diagnosing and monitoring various cerebrovascular conditions and is commonly utilized in clinical practice.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A patient presents to the outpatient hospital with neurological symptoms such as sudden onset of headache, visual disturbances, or signs suggestive of cerebrovascular disease. The physician suspects a vascular abnormality in the head, such as an aneurysm, stenosis, or possible neoplastic involvement affecting cerebral blood vessels. To evaluate the cerebral vasculature, the provider orders a magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) of the head. The procedure involves initial imaging without contrast, followed by administration of contrast material and further imaging sequences to enhance visualization of the blood vessels. This workflow is typical for patients with suspected neurosyphilis, cerebrovascular syphilis, or malignant neoplasms affecting the head and lip regions, as indicated by the associated ICD-10 diagnoses.
Coding Specifications
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Modifiers:
- Modifier
26: Used when reporting only the professional component of the service (interpretation and report by the radiologist). - Modifier
TC: Used when reporting only the technical component (use of equipment, supplies, and technical staff).
- Modifier
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Provider Taxonomies:
Code Specialty Name 2085R0202XRadiology, Diagnostic Radiology 2085N0700XRadiology, Neuroradiology 2085P0229XRadiology, Pediatric Radiology -
Specialties Represented:
- Diagnostic Radiology: General imaging and interpretation.
- Neuroradiology: Specialized imaging of the nervous system.
- Pediatric Radiology: Imaging for pediatric patients.
Related Diagnoses
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A52.05: Other cerebrovascular syphilis- Relevant for patients with syphilitic involvement of cerebral blood vessels, warranting vascular imaging.
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A52.19: Other symptomatic neurosyphilis- Indicates neurological symptoms due to syphilis, justifying detailed vascular assessment.
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C00.0: Malignant neoplasm of external upper lip- May be associated with metastatic or direct extension affecting head vasculature.
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C00.1: Malignant neoplasm of external lower lip- Similar relevance as above, with potential for vascular involvement.
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C00.2: Malignant neoplasm of external lip, unspecified- Used when the specific site is not defined, but vascular imaging may be needed for staging or assessment.
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C00.3: Malignant neoplasm of upper lip, inner aspect- May require head vascular imaging for evaluation of spread or involvement.
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C00.4: Malignant neoplasm of lower lip, inner aspect- Imaging may be indicated for assessment of vascular structures in cases of neoplastic spread.
Related CPT Codes
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70544: Magnetic resonance angiography, head; without contrast- Used when only non-contrast imaging is required. May be an alternative to
70548if contrast is contraindicated or not needed.
- Used when only non-contrast imaging is required. May be an alternative to
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70549: Magnetic resonance angiography, head; without and with contrast- Similar to
70548, but may differ in sequence protocols. Often used as an alternative or in conjunction depending on clinical requirements.
- Similar to
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70551: Magnetic resonance imaging, brain; without contrast- Used for non-vascular brain imaging. May be performed alongside
70548to assess both vascular and non-vascular structures.
- Used for non-vascular brain imaging. May be performed alongside
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70553: Magnetic resonance imaging, brain; without and with contrast- Provides comprehensive brain imaging including both non-contrast and contrast-enhanced sequences. Can be used together with
70548for thorough evaluation.
- Provides comprehensive brain imaging including both non-contrast and contrast-enhanced sequences. Can be used together with
National Reimbursement Benchmarks
Nationally, the mean rate for CPT code 70548 is highest among commercial payers, with Cigna, UnitedHealth Group, and Blue Cross Blue Shield all averaging above $310.00. The BUCA mean rate, representing the average across major commercial payers, stands at $285.53, which is substantially higher than the Medicare mean rate of $170.40.
Rate dispersion varies significantly across payers. Medicare exhibits the widest spread, with a difference of $164.50 between its 75th and 25th percentiles, indicating substantial variability in reimbursement. In contrast, Aetna has the tightest range, with only $89.17 separating its 75th and 25th percentiles, suggesting more consistent rates. Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, and UnitedHealth Group all show broader ranges, reflecting greater variability in commercial reimbursement.
The table and chart below present a detailed breakdown of national mean rates and percentile values for each payer.
Trek Health ingests and normalizes Transparency in Coverage data and payer policy updates to give provider organizations a clear view of how commercial reimbursement behaves across markets, payers, and services. Our platform transforms raw payer disclosures into structured intelligence that supports contract evaluation, payer negotiations, and service line strategy. By combining market benchmarks with ongoing policy visibility, Trek helps teams identify variability, risk, and opportunity in commercial reimbursement. The result is faster insight, stronger negotiating positions, and more informed financial decisions.