CPT 71275Radiology

Ct angiography chest

CPT code 71275 covers a CT angiography of the chest, which is a specialized imaging scan that uses contrast dye and X-rays to create detailed pictures of the blood vessels in the chest area. This test helps doctors diagnose conditions affecting the heart, lungs, and major blood vessels like the aorta.

Showing rates for

National Average

Base Medicare rate

$277.86

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

1.82

PE RVU (NF)

6.64

MP RVU

0.13

Total RVU

8.59

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

NCCI bundling edits

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Billing tips

Always verify that the radiology report explicitly documents the use of intravenous contrast material and specifies angiographic technique with arterial phase timing
Impact: Missing contrast documentation results in downcoding to 71260 (CT chest with contrast, non-angio) with $50-80 reduction in reimbursement
Ensure medical necessity is clearly documented with specific clinical indication beyond general chest pain; pulmonary embolism, aortic dissection, or vascular malformation provide strongest support
Impact: Vague indications like 'chest pain' trigger 30-40% denial rates; specific vascular indications reduce denials to under 5%
Bill the global code without modifiers when your facility owns equipment and provides interpretation; split with 26/TC only when services are truly separated
Impact: Incorrect modifier use can reduce payment by $80-150 or trigger recoupment audits
Do not separately bill contrast material (Q9965-Q9967) as it is included in the CT angiography allowable; contrast is bundled into the $277.86 payment
Impact: Separate contrast billing will be denied as included service; creates audit exposure and potential overpayment recovery
Verify patient has not had the same study within 90 days unless clinically justified; document specific change in clinical status or new acute presentation
Impact: Repeat studies without documented change trigger medical necessity denials in 60% of cases; successful appeal requires detailed clinical justification
Confirm coverage of CT angiography versus other modalities in LCD/NCD; some Medicare contractors prefer CTA over invasive angiography for specific indications

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Frequently asked questions

What is the Medicare reimbursement rate for CPT 71275 in 2025?

The 2025 Medicare national average payment for CPT 71275 is $277.86 for both facility and non-facility settings. This rate is based on 8.59 total RVUs (1.82 work RVU, 6.64 practice expense RVU, 0.13 malpractice RVU) multiplied by the 2025 conversion factor of 32.3465. Actual payment may vary by geographic locality.

What is the difference between CPT 71275 and 71260?

CPT 71275 is a CT angiography of the chest using specialized contrast timing and imaging protocols to visualize blood vessels, while 71260 is a standard CT chest with contrast for non-vascular indications. Code 71275 requires arterial-phase imaging with contrast bolus tracking specifically for vascular evaluation, whereas 71260 uses standard contrast timing for soft tissue or parenchymal assessment. The clinical indication and imaging technique must support angiographic study to bill 71275.

Can CPT 71275 be billed with modifier 26 for professional component only?

Yes, modifier 26 should be appended to 71275 when the physician provides only the interpretation and report but does not own the imaging equipment. This is common when a radiologist interprets a study performed at a hospital or imaging center where they are not employed. The technical component (modifier TC) is billed separately by the facility. Billing the global code without a modifier when services are split can result in overpayment and audits.

What diagnoses support medical necessity for CPT 71275?

Common diagnoses supporting 71275 include suspected or known pulmonary embolism (I26.x), aortic aneurysm (I71.2), aortic dissection (I71.0), pulmonary artery stenosis, coronary artery anomalies, vascular malformations, and pre-operative vascular mapping. The indication must specifically require vascular imaging rather than general chest evaluation. Generic chest pain (R07.9) without vascular risk factors typically does not support medical necessity for CT angiography versus standard CT.

How many RVUs is CPT code 71275 worth in 2025?

CPT 71275 has a total of 8.59 RVUs in 2025, consisting of 1.82 work RVUs, 6.64 practice expense RVUs (non-facility), 6.64 practice expense RVUs (facility), and 0.13 malpractice RVUs. These values are from the CMS Medicare Physician Fee Schedule RVU25A released December 23, 2024.

Is contrast material separately billable with CPT 71275?

No, contrast material is not separately billable when performing CPT 71275. The payment for CT angiography includes all imaging supplies, including contrast agents. Separately billing contrast codes (such as Q9965-Q9967 for low or high osmolar contrast) with 71275 will result in denial for included services and may trigger audit flags for unbundling.

Can CPT 71275 and 71260 be billed together on the same date?

Generally no, as these codes represent the same anatomic area with different contrast techniques. If both a CT angiography and a standard CT chest with contrast are performed for different clinical indications or at different sessions, documentation must clearly support the medical necessity of both studies. Modifier 59 may be appropriate in rare circumstances, but most payers will consider this duplicative. It is more common to bill only the more comprehensive code (71275) when both vascular and non-vascular evaluation are needed.