How To Use CPT Code 74175

CPT 74175 refers to computed tomographic angiography (CTA) of the abdomen with contrast material, including noncontrast images and image postprocessing. This article will cover the description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, when to use the code, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information, similar codes, and examples of CPT 74175 procedures.

1. What is CPT 74175?

CPT 74175 is a medical billing code used for computed tomographic angiography (CTA) of the abdomen with contrast material. This diagnostic imaging study is minimally invasive and helps physicians detect arterial diseases such as aneurysms, thrombosis, and ischemia in the arteries. The code includes noncontrast images, if performed, and image postprocessing.

2. 74175 CPT code description

The official description of CPT code 74175 is: “Computed tomographic angiography, abdomen, with contrast material(s), including noncontrast images, if performed, and image postprocessing.”

3. Procedure

1. The patient is placed supine on the operating table attached to the CTA scanner.
2. An intravenous (IV) line is started in the patient’s arm or hand.
3. The physician supervises the placement of the IV, administration of contrast, scout films, and image acquisition.
4. A technician performs postprocessing reconstruction under the physician’s supervision.
5. The scanner moves around the patient’s body, taking images in slices.
6. Images are displayed on a monitor screen and permanently saved in a computer.
7. A radiologist analyzes the images, interprets the findings, and prepares a report of their findings.

4. Qualifying circumstances

Patients eligible to receive CPT code 74175 services are those who require a diagnostic imaging study to screen for arterial diseases in the abdomen. This may include individuals with a history of abdominal aortic aneurysms, peripheral arterial disease, or other conditions that may affect the blood vessels in the abdomen. The physician must determine that CTA is the most appropriate diagnostic test for the patient’s condition and that the use of contrast material is necessary for accurate imaging.

5. When to use CPT code 74175

It is appropriate to bill the 74175 CPT code when a physician orders a computed tomographic angiography of the abdomen with contrast material to diagnose or evaluate arterial diseases in the abdomen. The code should be used for the technical and professional components of the service, including image acquisition, postprocessing, and interpretation by a radiologist.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 74175, the following information should be documented:

• Patient’s medical history and reason for the CTA
• Physician’s order for the CTA
• Details of the procedure, including contrast administration and image acquisition
• Postprocessing reconstruction performed by a technician
• Radiologist’s interpretation of the images and findings
• Any relevant follow-up or treatment recommendations

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT code 74175, keep in mind the following guidelines:

• Append professional component modifier 26 to the radiology code when reporting only the physician’s interpretation of the radiology service.
• Append modifier TC to the radiology code when reporting only the technical component of the radiology service. Note that payer policy may exempt hospitals from appending modifier TC because the hospital’s portion is inherently technical.
• 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 74175 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 2001. The code was changed on January 1, 2008, with the previous descriptor being “Computed tomographic angiography, abdomen, without contrast material(s), followed by contrast material(s) and further sections, including image post-processing.”

9. Similar codes to CPT 74175

Five similar codes to CPT 74175 and how they differ are:

1. CPT 74174: This code is for combined computed tomographic angiography of the abdomen and pelvis with contrast material.
2. CPT 73706: This code is for computed tomographic angiography of the lower extremity with contrast material.
3. CPT 75635: This code is for computed tomographic angiography aorto-iliofemoral runoff with contrast material.
4. CPT 72191: This code is for computed tomographic angiography of the pelvis with contrast material.
5. CPT 0710T: This code is for noninvasive arterial plaque analysis using software processing of data from computerized tomography angiography to quantify structure and composition of the vessel wall, including assessment for lipid-rich necrotic core plaque.

10. Examples

Here are 10 detailed examples of CPT code 74175 procedures:

1. A patient with a history of abdominal aortic aneurysm undergoes CTA of the abdomen with contrast material to monitor the size and stability of the aneurysm.
2. A patient with peripheral arterial disease undergoes CTA of the abdomen with contrast material to evaluate the extent of arterial blockages in the abdominal region.
3. A patient with unexplained abdominal pain undergoes CTA of the abdomen with contrast material to rule out arterial abnormalities as a potential cause.
4. A patient with a suspected mesenteric ischemia undergoes CTA of the abdomen with contrast material to assess blood flow to the intestines.
5. A patient with a history of renal artery stenosis undergoes CTA of the abdomen with contrast material to evaluate the blood flow to the kidneys.
6. A patient with a known abdominal aortic aneurysm undergoes CTA of the abdomen with contrast material before a planned endovascular repair procedure.
7. A patient with a history of deep vein thrombosis undergoes CTA of the abdomen with contrast material to evaluate the patency of the inferior vena cava.
8. A patient with a suspected visceral artery aneurysm undergoes CTA of the abdomen with contrast material to confirm the diagnosis and plan treatment.
9. A patient with a history of aortic dissection undergoes CTA of the abdomen with contrast material to monitor the stability of the dissection and assess for complications.
10. A patient with a suspected arteriovenous malformation in the abdomen undergoes CTA of the abdomen with contrast material to confirm the diagnosis and plan treatment.