71551 MRI chest with dye
Also known as: chest MRI with contrast, enhanced cardiac MRI, gadolinium-enhanced thoracic MRI
Magnetic resonance imaging of the thorax (chest) with intravenous gadolinium contrast medium enhancement. Provides enhanced visualization of cardiac, mediastinal, and pericardial pathology.
In Plain Language
chest scan with dye; enhanced heart imaging
Clinical Context
Used for myocardial characterization, cardiac viability assessment, pericardial disease evaluation, and mediastinal mass enhancement pattern analysis. Essential for cardiac ischemia and infarction assessment.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 1.69 |
| Total RVU | 1.69 |
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 1.69, this code ranks in the 82nd percentile among Radiology codes — 2.1x the median (0.81). The highest wRVU in this category is 11.57.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 71551?
CPT 71551 (MRI chest with dye) is a Radiology code. Magnetic resonance imaging of the thorax (chest) with intravenous gadolinium contrast medium enhancement. Provides enhanced visualization of cardiac, mediastinal, and pericardial pathology.
Who uses CPT code 71551?
CPT 71551 is used by Cardiac Imaging, Cardiology, Radiology. Used for myocardial characterization, cardiac viability assessment, pericardial disease evaluation, and mediastinal mass enhancement pattern analysis. Essential for cardiac ischemia and infarction assessment.
When is CPT 71551 used?
Used for myocardial characterization, cardiac viability assessment, pericardial disease evaluation, and mediastinal mass enhancement pattern analysis. Essential for cardiac ischemia and infarction assessment.
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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.