New Cardiac MRI CPT Codes



New Cardiac MRI codes take Effect January 1, 2008

The updated Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) Category I codes released by the American Medical Association will go into effect on Jan. 1st, 2008. There will be eight new cardiac MRI codes (75557-75564) and they will completely replace the 5 existing codes (75552-75556). The new codes were established to more accurately describe cardiac magnetic resonance imaging services as they are currently performed.

The reason for the change is that cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) technology has significantly changed since the original CPT codes were established in 1993. At that time, the technology limited the procedure to relatively few indications. Improvement in spatial and temporal resolution has expanded the applications of CMR from predominantly an anatomic test to one that performs accurate physiologic evaluations. During a typical CMR examination anatomic static images are coupled with moving functional images to provide a unique analysis of morphology and cardiac function. Additionally, a clinician can apply flow and velocity sequences to patients with valvular or congenital heart disease for an accurate physiologic assessment. Finally, CMR can also be used as a technique to assess ischemic heart disease. For example, contrast techniques can be employed to evaluate myocardial viability, prior to revascularization. Improvements in CMR hardware and software now allow versatility in the assessment of myocardial ischemia depending on the clinician’s expertise. Pharmacological stress testing to identify myocardial ischemic risk can be done using either wall motion techniques (similar to stress echocardiography) or perfusion techniques (similar to radionuclide techniques).

New Cardiac MRI CPT Codes

75557 Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging for morphology and function without contrast material;

75558 with flow/velocity quantification

75559 with stress imaging

75560 with flow/velocity quantification and stress

75561 Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging for morphology and function without contrast material(s) followed by contrast material(s) and further sequences;

75562 with flow/velocity quantification

75563 with stress imaging

75564 with flow/velocity quantification and stress

Each of the above codes was designed to be a stand-alone code and, as such, no add-on codes will exist. The new codes also cannot be billed together. Additionally, image post processing is included in each of the new codes so one can no longer bill any of the new codes with CPT code 76376 or 76377. Note that the new codes are divided into non-contrast and contrast sections each including four codes that build on the first or base code, of the given section.

Some clinical examples for each code along with a description of work for each are given below in order to provide guidance for the use of the new codes. The clinical examples provided are representative but by no means comprehensive.

Non-Contrast Codes

Code 75557 Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging for morphology and function without contrast material

This code would represent the base code for work in cardiac magnetic resonance where contrast would not be necessary. The code would be applied in the evaluation of left and/or right ventricular function and cardiac morphology when necessary. Clinical applications would include the assessment of discrepant left ventricular functions between two prior cardiovascular tests, evaluation of left ventricular ejection fraction prior to implantable cardioverter defibrillator, and serial follow-up of patients with cardiomyopathies.

Representative Description of Work

Review medical chart and records

Review any prior imaging studies

Review protocol with technologist

Describe procedure to patient and obtain consent as needed

Review source imaging data

Supervise administration of anxiolytic where applicable

Supervise set-up for different anatomical imaging planes

Review study images and provide input on whether to obtain additional imaging planes or sequences

Supervise and/or create reconstructions of the heart and mediastinum using an independent workstation

Adjust the projection of the reconstructions to optimize visualization of anatomy or pathology

Interpret the source and reformatted images resulting from the study, typically including cine review with the following specific activities:

Evaluate the morphological findings in multiple planes

Assess biventricular function with ejection fraction and characterization of wall motion abnormalities

Compare to all pertinent available prior studies

Dictate report for medical record

Review and sign report

Discuss findings with referring physician

Code 75558 Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging for morphology and function without contrast material; with flow/velocity quantification

This code builds from the base code and adds flow and velocity quantification to a morphology and functional assessment of the heart. This code could be used clinically in the initial evaluation and serial follow-up of patients with valvular or congenital heart disease.

Representative Description of Work

Review medical chart and records

Review any prior imaging studies

Review protocol with technologist

Describe procedure to patient and obtain consent as needed

Review source imaging data

Supervise administration of anxiolytic where applicable

Supervise set-up for different anatomical imaging planes

Review study images and provide input on whether to obtain additional imaging planes or sequences

Supervise and/or create reconstructions of the heart and mediastinum using an independent workstation

Adjust the projection of the reconstructions to optimize visualization of anatomy or pathology

Interpret the source and reformatted images resulting from the study, typically including cine review with the following specific activities:

Evaluate the morphological findings in multiple planes

Assess biventricular function with ejection fraction and characterization of wall motion abnormalities

Use velocity imaging protocols with post-processing to quantify valve function

Compare to all pertinent available prior studies

Review and sign report

Discuss findings with referring physician

Code 75559 Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging for morphology and function without contrast material; with stress imaging

This code adds non-contrast stress imaging to the base code of function and morphology. Therefore this code would be utilized for stress assessment that does not rely on contrast such as a dobutamine MRI, where wall motion is evaluated. Because the work description includes the base code a function and morphology assessment must be done along with the stress evaluation.

Representative Description of Work

Review medical chart and records

Review any prior imaging studies

Review protocol with technologist

Describe procedure to patient and obtain consent as needed

Review source imaging data

Supervise administration of anxiolytic where applicable

Supervise set-up for different anatomical imaging planes

Review study images and provide input on whether to obtain additional imaging planes or sequences

Supervise and/or create reconstructions of the heart and mediastinum using an independent workstation

Adjust the projection of the reconstructions to optimize visualization of anatomy or pathology

Interpret the source and reformatted images resulting from the study, typically including cine review with the following specific activities:

Evaluate the morphological findings in multiple planes

Assess biventricular function with ejection fraction and characterization of wall motion abnormalities

Evaluate multiple cardiac segments at incremental levels of stress for abnormal wall motion

Compare to all pertinent available prior studies

Review and sign report

Discuss findings with referring physician

Code 75560 Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging for morphology and function without contrast material; with flow/velocity quantification and stress

This code would be the most labor intensive code within the non-contrast section because it includes all three separate aspects of analysis – morphology/function, velocity/flow quantification, and stress imaging. This code might be utilized in a patient who needs an assessment of valvular heart disease in addition to an ischemic evaluation utilizing dobutamine.

Representative Description of Work

Review medical chart and records

Review any prior imaging studies

Review protocol with technologist

Describe procedure to patient and obtain consent as needed

Review source imaging data

Supervise administration of anxiolytic where applicable

Supervise set-up for different anatomical imaging planes

Review study images and provide input on whether to obtain additional imaging planes or sequences

Supervise and/or create reconstructions of the heart and mediastinum using an independent workstation

Adjust the projection of the reconstructions to optimize visualization of anatomy or pathology

Interpret the source and reformatted images resulting from the study, typically including cine review with the following specific activities:

Evaluate the morphological findings in multiple planes

Assess biventricular function with ejection fraction and characterization of wall motion abnormalities

Evaluate multiple cardiac segments at incremental levels of stress for abnormal wall motion

Compare to all pertinent available prior studies

Review and sign report

Discuss findings with referring physician

Contrast Codes

Code 75561 Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging for morphology and function without contrast material(s) followed by contrast material(s) and further sequences;

This code represents the base code for the contrast section. The use of this code clinically could apply to the patient with coronary artery disease who is being assessed for viable myocardium prior to revascularization.

Representative Description of Work

Review medical chart and records

Review any prior imaging studies

Review protocol with technologist

Describe procedure to patient and obtain consent as needed

Review source imaging data

Supervise administration of anxiolytic where applicable

Supervise set-up for different anatomical imaging planes

Review study images and provide input on whether to obtain additional imaging planes or sequences

Supervise and/or create reconstructions of the heart and mediastinum using an independent workstation

Adjust the projection of the reconstructions to optimize visualization of anatomy or pathology

Interpret source and reformatted images resulting from the study, typically including cine review with the following specific activities:

Evaluate the morphological findings in multiple planes

Assess biventricular function with ejection fraction and characterization of wall motion abnormalities

Interpret pre and post-contrast images to assess myocardial viability

Compare to all pertinent available prior studies

Dictate report for medical record

Review and sign report

Discuss findings with referring physician

Code 75562 Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging for morphology and function without contrast material(s), followed by contrast material(s) and further sequences; with flow/velocity quantification

Flow and velocity quantification is added to the contrast base code and this code includes the work of both assessments. Clinical utilization examples of this code would include assessment of a patient with congenital heart disease or cardiomyopathy with concomitant valvular heart disease.

Representative Description of Work

Review medical chart and records

Review any prior imaging studies

Review protocol with technologist

Describe procedure to patient and obtain consent as needed

Review source imaging data

Supervise administration of anxiolytic where applicable

Supervise set-up for different anatomical imaging planes

Review study images and provide input on whether to obtain additional imaging planes or sequences

Supervise and/or create reconstructions of the heart and mediastinum using an independent workstation

Adjust the projection of the reconstructions to optimize visualization of anatomy or pathology

Interpret the source and reformatted images resulting from the study, typically including cine review with the following specific activities:

Evaluate the morphological findings in multiple planes

Assess biventricular function with ejection fraction and characterization of wall motion abnormalities

Use velocity imaging protocols with post-processing to quantify valve function

Interpret pre and post-contrast images to assess myocardial viability and infiltrative disease

Compare to all pertinent available prior studies

Dictate report for medical record

Review and sign report

Discuss findings with referring physician

Code 75563 Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging for morphology and function without contrast material(s), followed by contrast material(s) and further sequences; with stress imaging

In addition to the contrast function and morphology work, this code adds contrast stress analysis which would be perfusion imaging. Viability analysis could also be done within this code. Clinically this code could be applied in a patient with known coronary artery disease with prior coronary artery bypass graft placement who is being referred for an ischemic evaluation prior to potential invasive evaluation.

Representative Description of Work

Review medical chart and records

Review any prior imaging studies

Review protocol with technologist

Describe procedure to patient and obtain consent as needed

Review source imaging data

Supervise administration of anxiolytic where applicable

Supervise set-up for different anatomical imaging planes

Review study images and provide input on whether to obtain additional imaging planes or sequences

Supervise and/or create reconstructions of the heart and mediastinum using an independent workstation

Adjust the projection of the reconstructions to optimize visualization of anatomy or pathology

Interpret the source and reformatted images resulting from the study, typically including cine review with the following specific activities:

Evaluate the morphological findings in multiple planes

Assess biventricular function with ejection fraction and characterization of wall motion abnormalities

Evaluate multiple cardiac segments at incremental levels of stress for abnormal wall motion and viability

Interpret pre and post-contrast images to assess myocardial ischemia and viability

Compare to all pertinent available prior studies

Dictate report for medical record

Review and sign report

Discuss findings with referring physician

Code 75564 Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging for morphology and function without contrast material(s), followed by contrast material(s) and further sequences; with flow/velocity quantification and stress

This would be the highest level of physician work not only for the contrast section but for all cardiac MR codes. This code encompasses the work of function and morphology, velocity/flow quantification, and contrast stress imaging. This code could be applied in a highly complex patient who needs assessment of valvular heart disease and ischemic heart disease utilizing perfusion stress imaging.

Representative Description of Work

Review medical chart and records

Review any prior imaging studies

Review protocol with technologist

Describe procedure to patient and obtain consent as needed

Review source imaging data

Supervise administration of anxiolytic where applicable

Supervise set-up for different anatomical imaging planes

Review study images and provide input on whether to obtain additional imaging planes or sequences

Supervise and/or create reconstructions of the heart and mediastinum using an independent workstation

Adjust the projection of the reconstructions to optimize visualization of anatomy or pathology

Interpret the source and reformatted images resulting from the study, typically including cine review with the following specific activities:

Evaluate the morphological findings in multiple planes

Assess biventricular function with ejection fraction and characterization of wall motion abnormalities

Use velocity imaging protocols with post-processing to quantify valve function

Evaluate multiple cardiac segments at incremental levels of stress for abnormal wall motion and viability

Interpret pre and post-contrast images to assess myocardial viability

Evaluate multiple cardiac segments at incremental levels of stress for abnormal wall motion Compare to all pertinent available prior studies

Dictate report for medical record

Review and sign report

Discuss findings with referring physician

All new cardiac MRI codes were approved by the American Medical Association (AMA) CPT Editorial Panel and valued by the AMA Relative Value Update Committee. Both committees had Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) members. Yet in a strange twist CMS has decided in its final ruling about coverage that all codes which include flow/velocity quantification (75558, 75560, 75562, and 75564) will not be recognized and will be assigned “noncovered” status. This decision harkens back to a previous national coverage decision which did not cover velocity flow mapping under the old cardiac MRI CPT code 75556. Both the American College of Cardiology and the American College of Radiology are currently appealing this decision. It would be expected that third party payers who covered the flow/velocity quantification in the past should continue to reimburse for it with the new codes.

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