How To Use CPT Code 72125

CPT 72125 is a diagnostic procedure involving computed tomography (CT) examination of the cervical spine without contrast material. This article will cover the description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information, similar codes, and examples of CPT 72125 procedures.

1. What is CPT 72125?

CPT 72125 is a diagnostic procedure that involves the use of computed tomography (CT) to examine the cervical spine without the use of contrast material. This code is used by medical professionals to accurately document and bill for this specific type of diagnostic imaging service.

2. 72125 CPT code description

The official description of CPT code 72125 is: “Computed tomography, cervical spine; without contrast material.”

3. Procedure

The 72125 procedure involves the following steps:

1. The patient is positioned appropriately on the CT scanner table and sedated if necessary.
2. The patient is instructed to remain motionless during the procedure.
3. The CT scanner rotates around the patient, capturing thin, cross-sectional images of the cervical spine.
4. The images are examined on a computer monitor by the provider, without the use of contrast material.
5. The provider interprets the diagnostic results from the images obtained.

4. Qualifying circumstances

Patients who are eligible to receive CPT code 72125 services are those who require a diagnostic examination of their cervical spine without the use of contrast material. This may include patients with suspected or confirmed cervical spine injuries, degenerative conditions, tumors, or other abnormalities that can be detected through CT imaging.

5. When to use CPT code 72125

It is appropriate to bill the 72125 CPT code when a provider performs a computed tomography examination of the cervical spine without the use of contrast material. This code should be used for patients who require a diagnostic examination of their cervical spine and do not need contrast material for the imaging study.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 72125, the following information should be documented:

• Patient’s medical history and reason for the CT examination
• Details of the CT examination, including the specific area of the cervical spine being examined
• Findings and interpretation of the CT images
• Any recommendations for further diagnostic testing or treatment based on the CT examination results

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT code 72125, it is important to follow the appropriate guidelines and rules. Some tips and codes that apply to CPT code 72125 include:

• Use code 72126 for CT examinations of the cervical spine with contrast material.
• Use code 72127 for CT examinations of the cervical spine without contrast material, followed by contrast material and further sections.
• Append professional component modifier 26 to the radiology code when reporting only the physician’s interpretation for the radiology service.
• Append modifier TC to the radiology code when reporting only the technical component for the radiology service, unless exempted by payer policy.
• Do not append a professional or technical modifier to the radiology code when reporting a global service in which one provider renders both the professional and technical components.

8. Historical information

CPT 72125 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 1990. The code descriptor was changed on January 1, 2003, from “Computerized axial tomography, cervical spine; without contrast material” to its current description.

9. Similar codes to CPT 72125

Five similar codes to CPT 72125 and how they differentiate from CPT 72125 are:

1. CPT 72126: This code is used for CT examinations of the cervical spine with contrast material.
2. CPT 72127: This code is used for CT examinations of the cervical spine without contrast material, followed by contrast material and further sections.
3. CPT 72128: This code is used for CT examinations of the thoracic spine without contrast material.
4. CPT 72129: This code is used for CT examinations of the thoracic spine with contrast material.
5. CPT 72130: This code is used for CT examinations of the thoracic spine without contrast material, followed by contrast material and further sections.

10. Examples

Here are 10 detailed examples of CPT code 72125 procedures:

1. A patient with a history of neck pain and suspected cervical spine injury due to a car accident undergoes a CT examination without contrast material.
2. A patient with a known degenerative disc disease in the cervical spine undergoes a CT examination without contrast material to assess the progression of the condition.
3. A patient with a history of neck pain and suspected cervical spine tumor undergoes a CT examination without contrast material for diagnostic purposes.
4. A patient with a history of rheumatoid arthritis and suspected cervical spine involvement undergoes a CT examination without contrast material to evaluate the extent of the disease.
5. A patient with a history of neck pain and suspected cervical spine infection undergoes a CT examination without contrast material for diagnostic purposes.
6. A patient with a history of neck pain and suspected cervical spine fracture due to a fall undergoes a CT examination without contrast material to confirm the diagnosis.
7. A patient with a history of neck pain and suspected cervical spine instability due to ligamentous injury undergoes a CT examination without contrast material for diagnostic purposes.
8. A patient with a history of neck pain and suspected cervical spine malformation undergoes a CT examination without contrast material to evaluate the anatomy of the cervical spine.
9. A patient with a history of neck pain and suspected cervical spine stenosis undergoes a CT examination without contrast material to assess the degree of spinal canal narrowing.
10. A patient with a history of neck pain and suspected cervical spine spondylolisthesis undergoes a CT examination without contrast material to evaluate the extent of vertebral slippage.