72156 MRI neck spine without & with dye
Also known as: cervical spine MRI with and without contrast, dual-phase C-spine MRI
Magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical spine performed with noncontrast and intravenous gadolinium contrast acquisitions. Comprehensive imaging combining baseline and enhanced sequences.
In Plain Language
complete neck spine scan; comprehensive cervical imaging
Clinical Context
Comprehensive cervical protocol when both baseline anatomy and enhanced pathology characterization are needed for complex cervical spine pathology.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 2.23 |
| Total RVU | 2.23 |
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 2.23, this code ranks in the 94th percentile among Radiology codes — 2.8x the median (0.81). The highest wRVU in this category is 11.57.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 72156?
CPT 72156 (MRI neck spine without & with dye) is a Radiology code. Magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical spine performed with noncontrast and intravenous gadolinium contrast acquisitions. Comprehensive imaging combining baseline and enhanced sequences.
Who uses CPT code 72156?
CPT 72156 is used by Neurosurgery, Neurology, Radiology. Comprehensive cervical protocol when both baseline anatomy and enhanced pathology characterization are needed for complex cervical spine pathology.
When is CPT 72156 used?
Comprehensive cervical protocol when both baseline anatomy and enhanced pathology characterization are needed for complex cervical spine pathology.
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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.