Top radiology CPT codes at imaging centers

Radiologists are a vital part of acute and chronic care teams. These physicians use medical imaging technology—such as x-rays, CT scans, MRIs, and ultrasounds—to diagnose and treat injuries and illnesses in patients.

What are the types of imaging procedures?

Radiology procedures are performed using one or more medical imaging machines, depending on what part of the body or type of diagnostics is needed. Some of the most common procedures include images and/or scans from:

• Angiography
• Computerized tomography (CT)
• Echocardiograph
• Electrocardiogram (EKG)
• Fluoroscopy
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Mammography
• Ultrasound (US)
• X-ray

Which CPT codes are used for radiology procedures?

Imaging procedures are captured through the current procedural terminology (CPT) code set, with the radiology CPT code range consisting of codes 70010 to 79999. These codes further break down into the following categories and code ranges:

• Diagnostic imaging: 70010-76499
• Diagnostic ultrasound: 76506-76999
• Radiologic guidance: 77001-77032
• Breast mammography: 77046-77067
• Bone/joint studies: 77071-77092
• Radiation oncology: 77261-77799
• Nuclear medicine: 78000-79999

Using procedure data from the Definitive Healthcare Atlas All-Payor Claims and ImagingView products, we compiled a list of the top radiology CPT procedure codes performed at imaging centers in the U.S. Claims for 2023 through November are used for the analysis.

Top 20 radiology CPT procedure codes

Fig 1. Data from Definitive Healthcare Atlas All-Payor Claims and ImagingView products. Claims data is sourced from multiple medical claims clearinghouses in the United States and updated monthly. Accessed January 2024.

What is the most common radiology CPT code?

CPT code 77067 - screening mammography, bilateral had the most procedures at imaging centers in 2023 through November. In the second spot was an additional breast examine, CPT code 77063 - screening digital breast tomosynthesis, bilateral, which is an advanced type of mammography. These procedures are used to screen patients for breast cancer.

The next two top imaging procedures are chest x-rays, CPT codes 71046 and 71045, often used to diagnose respiratory conditions and/or viruses. Additional common radiology procedures include bone density studies, MRIs of the spinal canal and abdomen, abdomen and pelvis CT scans, and shoulder x-rays.

What is the difference between diagnostic radiology and interventional radiology?

Diagnostic radiology uses medical imaging technology to help determine the cause of patient symptoms. These scans are non-invasive and help physicians see inside a patient’s body without surgery. For example, a patient with pain in their lower abdomen might undergo a CT of their middle body to determine if their appendix is inflamed.

Interventional radiology, on the other hand, uses medical imaging to assist physicians in performing minimally invasive surgeries. These types of procedures allow for smaller and/or fewer incisions, which helps patients recover more quickly. If the patient with abdominal pain had appendicitis, a surgeon could use small cameras to guide their tools and remove the patient’s appendix.

What are the different radiology sub-specialties?

In the Definitive Healthcare PhysicianView product, we track five radiology sub-specialties that include:

• Diagnostic radiology
• Interventional radiology
• Neuroradiology
• Nuclear medicine
• Pediatric radiology

In addition, radiation oncologists are tracked as an oncology sub-specialty.

Learn more

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