Radiology-Specific Updates: Procedural Coding

New, Revised & Deleted Codes (2025)

The 2025 CPT update includes 270 new codes, 38 revised codes, and 112 deleted codes. Only a subset directly impacts radiology medical coding practices, especially for radiology cpt coding 2025 and radiology icd-10 updates.

MRI Safety Codes

A brand-new subsection dedicated to MR safety CPT Code services has been introduced. It covers tasks like implant or foreign body evaluation, safety consultation, electronics prep, and positioning/immobilisation before an MRI. These service fall under Mr Safety CPT Codes, ensuring better accuracy and radiology billing compliance.

Category III Codes for Emerging Technologies

Category III CPT codes continue for reporting new technologies/procedures, such as diagnostic imaging advances like MR safety CPT Codes, which helps support data collection even though RVUs aren’t assigned yet. These changes also align with radiology medical coding 2025 compliance needs.­­

ACR Coding Guides

The American College of Radiology (ACR) has updated a suite of coding resources for 2025, including guides for:

• Ultrasound
• Nuclear Medicine
• Breast Imaging (FAQs)
• Interventional Radiology coding (in partnership with SIR)

These updates directly support improved radiology medical coding 2025 processes.

New Imaging and Interventional Radiology coding

MR Safety Implant/Foreign Body Procedures

Implants that require complex evaluation, such as a cochlear implant, a valve, a deep vagal stimulator, a pacemaker, a device to treat sleep apnea, etc., are included in these codes. It is not recommended that these codes be submitted for every patient undergoing MR imaging who has an implant or foreign body.

Interpretation of the MR does not require the same provider who performed the safety assessment.

It is recommended to have different reports for safety assessment and MR imaging interpretation.

These fall under Mr Safety CPT codes, supporting safer workflows and stronger radiology reimbursement guidelines. They also influence diagnostic radiology coding workflows.

Note: G = Global, PC = Professional Component.

Medicare Fee represents the national level using the CF of $32.3465 in effect as of this writing.

Note that 76014 and 76015 represent the work of an MRI technician and/or medical physicist. Global billing would allow them to be accessed in the imaging centre, but they do not include any physician work value.

CODING TIP:

• 76014-76016: These codes are performed days or weeks before MRI unless performed emergently.

• 76014-76015: These are time-based codes that may be performed before the MRI DOS. These codes will be performed by clinical staff, e.g., radiology icd-10 technologists or MR safety-trained clinical staff.

To be eligible for billing under time-based codes, at least half of the specified time must be performed. For example, 76014 demands that a minimum of 8 minutes be conducted and documented to demonstrate medical necessity. 76015 requires a minimum of 16 minutes to report. Managing many devices would be challenging. An illustration of the time required for research.

• Determining safety is a paid

• To support this service, new workflows must be developed to capture billing charges. Since radiology technologists do not typically generate reports within an EHR for billing purposes, an internal process within radiology will be necessary. Additionally, effective collaboration among radiology icd-10, billing, and EHR IT teams will be critical for a successful launch.

• 76016: This is a risk-benefit analysis performance. Review literature, devices that lack labelling, and/or have contraindications to MRI. Examples are what the issue is, indication, risk, benefit, and whether the benefit outweighs the risk.

• 76017-76019: These codes must be provided on the same DOS, in conjunction with the MRI. All three codes can be billed separately or together without affecting payment.

• 76017: Physicists don’t report this code. Following consultation with a physicist, the physician or QHP bills the code via a written report. The service is customised for the patient in real time in the MR control room during imaging. This code will not be reported if an MR is not .

• 76018: This code comprises setting the device’s manufacturer-safe mode in the MR workspace. If a cardiologist or neurologist visits the MRI department to switch the device on or off, that provider will report this code. The service must be performed in the MR department.

• If programming outside of MR or days before MR, the code is not reportable. The code may only be reported once if the device is turned off and on.

• 76019: This code is applicable when interacting with the patient to position, immobilise, or wrap the device before MR.

• If the exam is cancelled, these codes can still be reported, including 76018

MRI-Monitored Transurethral Ultrasound Ablation (TULSA)

MRI-monitored TULSA delivers consistent physician-prescribed ablation of prostate tissue for prostate cancer treatment using robotically driven directional thermal ultrasound and closed-loop temperature feedback control software. This surgery can be reported using the codes that support radiology medical coding and align with radiology reimbursement guidelines that are listed below.

MRI-Guided High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (MRgFUS)

The existing Category III code 0398T MRI-guided high intensity focused ultrasound, stereotactic ablation lesion, intracranial for movement disorder, including stereotactic navigation and frame placement when performed, will be deleted and replaced by these three new Category I codes. These updates are important for diagnostic radiology coding and strengthen compliance under radiology billing compliance.

These codes are intended to capture all of the complete elements of the MRgFUS procedure, including the ablation process, treatment planning, and probe insertion. The procedure’s established clinical use is reflected in this update, which should help it be widely adopted for the treatment of illnesses, including intracranial movement abnormalities. 

Transcranial Doppler: New Add-on Codes

Three new add-on codes will be available to report procedures performed along with radiology CPT Code 93886, Transcranial Doppler study of intracranial arteries, complete.

Coding Insight

• Code 93893 Transcranial Doppler study of the intracranial arteries; emboli detection with intravenous microbubble injection has been revised to describe venous-arterial shunt detection and code 93890 Transcranial Doppler study of the intracranial arteries; vasoreactivity study has been deleted.
• The Cerebrovascular Arterial Studies guidelines will be revised to clarify when the existing transcranial Doppler study codes 93886, 93888, 93892, and 93893, and the new add-on codes are73 to be reported.

Interventional Radiology coding

Percutaneous RF Ablation of Thyroid

Category III code 0673T had been used for ablation of benign thyroid nodules.  Beginning in 2025, there is a new code to report percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of thyroid plus an add-on code to report ablation of additional nodule(s). This directly impacts interventional radiology coding and contributes to accurate radiology reimbursement guidelines.

New Imaging Category III Codes

Vascular Procedures Guidelines

Guidelines in the Vascular Procedures subsection of the Radiology codingsection will be revised to clarify that add-on code 75774, Angiography, selective, each additional vessel studied after basic examination, radiological supervision and interpretation (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure), may be reported for both arteries and veins for each additional vessel. The cross-reference parenthetical notes following code 75774 that direct users to codes 75600-75756 (angiography) and 36215-36248 (catheterisation) will be deleted.