71550 MRI chest without dye
Also known as: chest MRI, thoracic MRI noncontrast, cardiac MRI
Magnetic resonance imaging of the thorax (chest) without intravenous gadolinium contrast medium. Provides excellent soft tissue contrast of the mediastinum and chest wall.
In Plain Language
chest scan without dye; heart and lung imaging
Clinical Context
Used for cardiac and pericardial evaluation, mediastinal mass assessment, and chest wall soft tissue pathology. Excellent for viability assessment and tissue characterization without contrast.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 1.42 |
| Total RVU | 1.42 |
Est. Medicare Payment
National estimate based on 2026 CMS PFS Conversion Factor ($33.40). Actual payment varies by locality (GPCI adjustment).
Billing & Documentation
Radiology codes require a written order, clinical indication, and a formal interpretation report. The professional component (modifier -26) and technical component (modifier -TC) may be billed separately.
How This Code Compares
With a work RVU of 1.42, this code ranks in the 75th percentile among Radiology codes — 1.8x the median (0.81). The highest wRVU in this category is 11.57.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 71550?
CPT 71550 (MRI chest without dye) is a Radiology code. Magnetic resonance imaging of the thorax (chest) without intravenous gadolinium contrast medium. Provides excellent soft tissue contrast of the mediastinum and chest wall.
Who uses CPT code 71550?
CPT 71550 is used by Cardiac Imaging, Radiology, Oncology. Used for cardiac and pericardial evaluation, mediastinal mass assessment, and chest wall soft tissue pathology. Excellent for viability assessment and tissue characterization without contrast.
When is CPT 71550 used?
Used for cardiac and pericardial evaluation, mediastinal mass assessment, and chest wall soft tissue pathology. Excellent for viability assessment and tissue characterization without contrast.
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CPT® is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association. Data sourced from CMS Physician Fee Schedule RVU26A. Descriptions, synonyms, and clinical context are original content by RVU Edge.