CPT 70355Radiology

Panoramic x-ray of jaws

CPT code 70355 is used for a panoramic x-ray of the jaws, a single wide-angle image that shows all teeth, upper and lower jaws, and surrounding bone structures in one film. This is the common x-ray dentists take that requires you to bite on a plastic piece while the machine rotates around your head.

Showing rates for

National Average

Base Medicare rate

$18.44

This calculator gives a typical-case estimate using standard Medicare modifier rules. Actual payment depends on payer policies, documentation, code-specific CMS status indicators, and locality. Verify before billing.

RVU breakdown

Work RVU

0.2

PE RVU (NF)

0.35

MP RVU

0.02

Total RVU

0.57

Conversion factor: 32.3465 · Source: CMS MPFS RVU25A · Confidence: High

NCCI bundling edits

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Billing tips

Document medical necessity clearly - Medicare and commercial payers often deny 70355 as routine dental care; emphasize pathology, trauma, infection with bone involvement, or surgical planning to establish medical necessity
Impact: Reduces denial rate by 40-60%; ensures $18.44 payment rather than complete denial
Use appropriate diagnosis codes - link to ICD-10 codes indicating bone pathology (M27.x), fractures (S02.x), infections (K10.2), or tumors (D16.5) rather than routine dental codes like dental caries or periodontal disease
Impact: Increases approval rate from 30% to 85% for Medicare claims when bone/medical pathology documented
Verify payer-specific coverage policies - many Medicare Advantage and commercial plans exclude all dental-related imaging; check LCD/NCD before performing service
Impact: Prevents $18.44 write-off per claim; enables advance beneficiary notice (ABN) when service is non-covered
Bill place of service correctly - POS 11 (office) versus POS 22 (outpatient hospital) versus POS 24 (ambulatory surgical center) affects facility vs non-facility designation, though this code has same rate
Impact: No rate difference for 70355 ($18.44 both settings), but incorrect POS triggers claim edits and delays
Don't unbundle from comprehensive oral surgery codes - if panoramic x-ray is integral to a surgical procedure (e.g., wisdom tooth extraction), it may be bundled into the surgical code
Impact: Prevents $18.44 denial for duplicate or unbundled service; check CCI edits before billing separately
Maintain proper interpretation documentation - radiologist or dentist report must be in medical record with formal findings, impressions, and signature to support professional component billing

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Frequently asked questions

What is the Medicare reimbursement rate for CPT 70355 in 2025?

The 2025 Medicare national average reimbursement rate for CPT 70355 is $18.44 for both facility and non-facility settings. This is based on a total RVU of 0.57 multiplied by the 2025 conversion factor of 32.3465.

Does Medicare cover panoramic dental x-rays with CPT 70355?

Medicare Part B covers CPT 70355 only when medically necessary for diagnosis or treatment of bone pathology, jaw fractures, infections involving bone, TMJ disorders, or tumors. Routine dental examinations and care are excluded from Medicare coverage. Documentation must emphasize medical rather than dental indications.

What is the difference between CPT 70355 and CPT 70110?

CPT 70355 is a panoramic (orthopantomogram) x-ray showing the entire jaw in one curved image, while CPT 70110 is a complete radiologic examination of the mandible (lower jaw) with multiple views. The panoramic view (70355) provides a broader overview including both jaws and TMJs, whereas 70110 focuses specifically on mandibular detail with standard projections.

Can CPT 70355 be billed with an E/M code on the same day?

Yes, CPT 70355 can be billed with an E/M service on the same day without modifier 25, as it is a diagnostic procedure, not a minor procedure. The E/M should document the separate evaluation that led to the decision to order the panoramic x-ray, and the imaging should be medically necessary based on findings from that evaluation.

What diagnosis codes support medical necessity for CPT 70355?

Diagnosis codes supporting medical necessity include jaw fractures (S02.6xx), osteomyelitis of jaw (M27.2), TMJ disorders (M26.6x), benign bone neoplasms (D16.5), malignant neoplasms (C41.0-C41.1), impacted teeth with bone complications (K01.1), and jaw cysts (K09.x). Routine dental caries or periodontal disease typically do not support medical necessity for Medicare.

How many RVUs is CPT code 70355 worth in 2025?

CPT 70355 has a total RVU value of 0.57 in 2025, consisting of 0.2 work RVU, 0.35 practice expense RVU (both facility and non-facility), and 0.02 malpractice RVU. This is a low-complexity imaging service with minimal work value.

Should I use modifier 26 or TC when billing CPT 70355?

Use modifier 26 if you are billing only for the professional interpretation of the panoramic x-ray (physician reading). Use modifier TC if billing only for the technical component (equipment, supplies, technician). If your practice owns the equipment and provides the interpretation, bill the global code 70355 without modifiers. Split billing is common when hospital radiology performs the imaging and a private physician interprets.