72130 CT chest spine without & with dye
Also known as: thoracic spine CT with and without contrast, dual-phase T-spine CT
Computed tomography of the thoracic spine performed with noncontrast and intravenous contrast acquisitions. Comprehensive imaging combining baseline and enhanced assessment.
In Plain Language
complete mid-back spine scan; comprehensive thoracic imaging
Clinical Context
Comprehensive protocol when both baseline thoracic anatomy and enhanced pathology characterization are needed for complex thoracic spine evaluation.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 1.24 |
| Total RVU | 1.24 |
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 1.24, this code ranks in the 70th percentile among Radiology codes — 1.5x the median (0.81). The highest wRVU in this category is 11.57.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 72130?
CPT 72130 (CT chest spine without & with dye) is a Radiology code. Computed tomography of the thoracic spine performed with noncontrast and intravenous contrast acquisitions. Comprehensive imaging combining baseline and enhanced assessment.
Who uses CPT code 72130?
CPT 72130 is used by Neurosurgery, Orthopedic Surgery, Radiology. Comprehensive protocol when both baseline thoracic anatomy and enhanced pathology characterization are needed for complex thoracic spine evaluation.
When is CPT 72130 used?
Comprehensive protocol when both baseline thoracic anatomy and enhanced pathology characterization are needed for complex thoracic spine evaluation.
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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.