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Diagnostic Imaging Medical Billing Services for Accurate Claims and Stronger Revenue Control

Diagnostic imaging billing involves far more than submitting a CPT code. The claim may depend on the imaging modality, body area, contrast use, professional versus technical components, ordering information, medical necessity, payer authorization, place of service, and whether the imaging service is billed globally or split between different providers.

 

Why Diagnostic Imaging Medical Billing Is Different

Diagnostic imaging claims often combine clinical, technical, and payer-specific billing requirements that must all align before payment can be made correctly.

Professional vs. Technical Components

Many diagnostic imaging services include both physician interpretation and technical services. Claims may use modifier **26**, **TC**, or global billing depending on who performed each component.

Modality-Specific Coding

X-ray, ultrasound, CT, MRI, mammography, nuclear medicine, and other imaging services use different CPT families and coding requirements. The code must accurately reflect the study performed, anatomical area, views, contrast use, and other documented details.

Prior Authorization Requirements

Many advanced imaging services, particularly MRI, CT, and certain nuclear medicine procedures, may require payer authorization. Missing, expired, or mismatched authorization information can create avoidable denials.

Medical Necessity & Diagnosis Alignment

The diagnosis submitted must support the imaging service according to applicable payer policies. Incorrect diagnosis-to-procedure alignment can result in denials even when the imaging study itself was performed correctly.

Multiple Imaging Payment Rules

When multiple diagnostic imaging services are performed for the same patient on the same day, Medicare payment rules may affect professional or technical reimbursement for qualifying services. Medicare applies specific multiple-procedure reductions to certain diagnostic imaging services.

Ordering, Rendering & Facility Details

Diagnostic imaging claims may involve separate ordering providers, interpreting physicians, imaging facilities, and billing entities. Accurate NPI, place-of-service, referring or ordering information, and provider enrollment are essential.

Because diagnostic imaging reimbursement depends on coding, component billing, documentation, payer policy, and authorization working together, experienced billing support can help prevent avoidable revenue delays.

Our Services

What 5 Star Billing Services Offers for Diagnostic Imaging Providers

We provide end-to-end billing and revenue-cycle support designed around the operational needs of imaging centers and diagnostic providers.

Diagnostic Imaging Coding & Claim Review

Our team reviews imaging claims for CPT, ICD-10-CM, HCPCS, modifiers, body site, laterality where applicable, contrast details, component billing, and payer requirements.

Professional & Technical Component Billing

We help ensure imaging claims correctly represent the service billed as professional, technical, or global based on the actual services performed and applicable payer rules.

Patient Eligibility Verification

We verify insurance eligibility and available benefits before billing to help identify coverage status, patient responsibility, and payer requirements.

Prior Authorization Support

Our team supports authorization workflows for imaging studies that require payer approval and helps reduce denials related to missing or incorrect authorization information.

Clean Claim Submission & Tracking

Claims are validated before submission, transmitted to the appropriate payer, and tracked throughout adjudication.

Denial Management & Appeals Support

We investigate imaging-specific denials involving authorization, coding, medical necessity, modifier use, component billing, provider data, or payer processing.

Our Services

Better Billing Visibility for Diagnostic Imaging Providers

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First-Pass Clean Claim Rate
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Reduction in AR Days
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I have been using 5 Star Billing Services, Inc. for over two years now. I am impressed with the detail and thoroughness that they consistently demonstrate. The team assigned to us is very familiar with the coding necessary for our specialty (chronic pain), and they excel at preventing rejections.

Gary L. Child, D.O.

Gary L. Child, D.O.

Medical Director

Our Process

A Human-Led Billing Workflow Built for Diagnostic Imaging

Our process combines experienced billing review with technology-supported checks to keep imaging claims moving efficiently.

 

Patient, Order & Insurance Verification

We review demographics, insurance information, ordering-provider information, and available eligibility details.

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Authorization & Documentation Review

Where applicable, authorization information and supporting documentation are checked against the scheduled or completed imaging service.

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Imaging Code & Modifier Validation

Our team reviews procedure codes, diagnosis codes, professional or technical component requirements, modifiers, and billing-provider information.

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Claim Submission & Payer Tracking

Validated claims are submitted electronically and monitored for acknowledgments, payer processing, rejections, and denials.

Continuous Expert Oversight

Technology supports our workflow. Experienced billing professionals remain responsible for reviewing imaging claims, handling exceptions, and following payer issues through resolution.

Seamless Diagnostic Imaging EHR, RIS & Billing Software Integration

You should not have to replace your existing software simply to improve billing performance.

 

Commonly Used  CPT and ICD Codes in Diagnostic Imaging

CPT Codes for Diagnostic Imaging

X-Ray / Diagnostic Radiography CPT Codes
  • 71045 — Chest X-ray, single view
  • 71046 — Chest X-ray, 2 views
  • 71047 — Chest X-ray, 3 views
  • 71048 — Chest X-ray, 4 or more views
  • 72020 — Spine X-ray, single view
  • 72040 — Cervical spine, 2–3 views
  • 72050 — Cervical spine, 4–5 views
  • 72052 — Cervical spine, 6 or more views
  • 72070 — Thoracic spine, 2 views
  • 72072 — Thoracic spine, 3 views
  • 72100 — Lumbosacral spine, 2–3 views
  • 72110 — Lumbosacral spine, 4 or more views
  • 72114 — Lumbosacral spine, complete including bending views
  • 72170 — Pelvis, 1–2 views
  • 73000 — Clavicle X-ray
  • 73020 — Shoulder, single view
  • 73030 — Shoulder, complete
  • 73050 — AC joints
  • 73060 — Humerus
  • 73070 — Elbow, 2 views
  • 73080 — Elbow, complete
  • 73090 — Forearm
  • 73100 — Wrist, 2 views
  • 73110 — Wrist, complete
  • 73120 — Hand, 2 views
  • 73130 — Hand, 3 or more views
  • 73140 — Finger
  • 73502 — Hip with pelvis, 2–3 views
  • 73521 — Bilateral hips with pelvis, 2 views each
  • 73522 — Bilateral hips with pelvis, 3–4 views each
  • 73523 — Bilateral hips with pelvis, minimum 5 views
  • 73552 — Femur
  • 73560 — Knee, 1–2 views
  • 73562 — Knee, 3 views
  • 73564 — Knee, 4 or more views
  • 73565 — Bilateral standing knees
  • 73590 — Tibia and fibula
  • 73600 — Ankle, 2 views
  • 73610 — Ankle, complete
  • 73620 — Foot, 2 views
  • 73630 — Foot, complete
  • 73650 — Heel
  • 73660 — Toe
  • 74018 — Abdominal X-ray, single view
  • 74019 — Abdominal X-ray, 2 views
  • 74021 — Abdominal X-ray, 3 or more views

CT Scan CPT Codes

Head, Face & Neck
  • 70450 — CT head/brain without contrast
  • 70460 — CT head/brain with contrast
  • 70470 — CT head/brain without and with contrast
  • 70480 — CT orbit/ear region without contrast
  • 70481 — CT orbit/ear region with contrast
  • 70482 — CT orbit/ear region without and with contrast
  • 70486 — CT maxillofacial without contrast
  • 70487 — CT maxillofacial with contrast
  • 70488 — CT maxillofacial without and with contrast
  • 70490 — CT soft-tissue neck without contrast
  • 70491 — CT soft-tissue neck with contrast
  • 70492 — CT soft-tissue neck without and with contrast
Chest
  • 71250 — CT chest without contrast
  • 71260 — CT chest with contrast
  • 71270 — CT chest without and with contrast
  • 71271 — Low-dose CT for lung cancer screening
  • 71275 — CT angiography of chest
Abdomen & Pelvis
  • 74150 — CT abdomen without contrast
  • 74160 — CT abdomen with contrast
  • 74170 — CT abdomen without and with contrast
  • 72192 — CT pelvis without contrast
  • 72193 — CT pelvis with contrast
  • 72194 — CT pelvis without and with contrast
  • 74176 — CT abdomen and pelvis without contrast
  • 74177 — CT abdomen and pelvis with contrast
  • 74178 — CT abdomen and pelvis without and with contrast
  • 74174 — CTA abdomen and pelvis
Spine
  • 72125 — CT cervical spine without contrast
  • 72126 — CT cervical spine with contrast
  • 72127 — CT cervical spine without and with contrast
  • 72128 — CT thoracic spine without contrast
  • 72129 — CT thoracic spine with contrast
  • 72130 — CT thoracic spine without and with contrast
  • 72131 — CT lumbar spine without contrast
  • 72132 — CT lumbar spine with contrast
  • 72133 — CT lumbar spine without and with contrast
Cardiac CT
  • 75571 — CT heart for calcium scoring
  • 75572 — Cardiac CT for structure/morphology
  • 75573 — Cardiac CT for congenital heart evaluation
  • 75574 — Coronary CT angiography

MRI CPT Codes

Brain
  • 70551 — MRI brain without contrast
  • 70552 — MRI brain with contrast
  • 70553 — MRI brain without and with contrast
Orbit, Face & Neck
  • 70540 — MRI orbit/face/neck without contrast
  • 70542 — MRI orbit/face/neck with contrast
  • 70543 — MRI orbit/face/neck without and with contrast
Cervical Spine
  • 72141 — MRI cervical spine without contrast
  • 72142 — MRI cervical spine with contrast
  • 72156 — MRI cervical spine without and with contrast
Thoracic Spine
  • 72146 — MRI thoracic spine without contrast
  • 72147 — MRI thoracic spine with contrast
  • 72157 — MRI thoracic spine without and with contrast
Lumbar Spine
  • 72148 — MRI lumbar spine without contrast
  • 72149 — MRI lumbar spine with contrast
  • 72158 — MRI lumbar spine without and with contrast
Chest
  • 71550 — MRI chest without contrast
  • 71551 — MRI chest with contrast
  • 71552 — MRI chest without and with contrast
Abdomen
  • 74181 — MRI abdomen without contrast
  • 74182 — MRI abdomen with contrast
  • 74183 — MRI abdomen without and with contrast
Pelvis
  • 72195 — MRI pelvis without contrast
  • 72196 — MRI pelvis with contrast
  • 72197 — MRI pelvis without and with contrast
Upper Extremities
  • 73218 — MRI upper extremity, non-joint, without contrast
  • 73219 — MRI upper extremity, non-joint, with contrast
  • 73220 — MRI upper extremity, non-joint, without and with contrast
  • 73221 — MRI upper-extremity joint without contrast
  • 73222 — MRI upper-extremity joint with contrast
  • 73223 — MRI upper-extremity joint without and with contrast
Lower Extremities
  • 73718 — MRI lower extremity, non-joint, without contrast
  • 73719 — MRI lower extremity, non-joint, with contrast
  • 73720 — MRI lower extremity, non-joint, without and with contrast
  • 73721 — MRI lower-extremity joint without contrast
  • 73722 — MRI lower-extremity joint with contrast
  • 73723 — MRI lower-extremity joint without and with contrast

MR Angiography CPT Codes

  • 70544 — MRA head without contrast
  • 70545 — MRA head with contrast
  • 70546 — MRA head without and with contrast
  • 70547 — MRA neck without contrast
  • 70548 — MRA neck with contrast
  • 70549 — MRA neck without and with contrast
  • 71555 — MRA chest
  • 72198 — MRA pelvis
  • 73725 — MRA lower extremity
  • 74185 — MRA abdomen

Ultrasound CPT Codes

Abdomen
  • 76700 — Complete abdominal ultrasound
  • 76705 — Limited abdominal ultrasound
  • 76706 — Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening ultrasound
Pelvis
  • 76856 — Complete pelvic ultrasound
  • 76857 — Limited pelvic ultrasound
  • 76830 — Transvaginal ultrasound
Head & Neck
  • 76536 — Ultrasound of head/neck soft tissue
Scrotum
  • 76870 — Scrotal ultrasound
Extremity / Musculoskeletal
  • 76881 — Complete joint ultrasound
  • 76882 — Limited joint or soft-tissue ultrasound
Breast
  • 76641 — Complete breast ultrasound
  • 76642 — Limited breast ultrasound

Vascular Ultrasound / Doppler CPT Codes

  • 93880 — Complete extracranial carotid duplex
  • 93882 — Limited carotid duplex
  • 93922 — Limited physiologic arterial study
  • 93923 — Complete multilevel arterial study
  • 93925 — Complete bilateral lower-extremity arterial duplex
  • 93926 — Unilateral or limited arterial duplex
  • 93930 — Complete bilateral upper-extremity arterial duplex
  • 93931 — Unilateral or limited upper-extremity arterial duplex
  • 93970 — Complete bilateral extremity venous duplex
  • 93971 — Unilateral or limited venous duplex
  • 93975 — Complete abdominal/pelvic organ vascular duplex
  • 93976 — Limited abdominal/pelvic organ vascular duplex
  • 93978 — Complete aorta/iliac duplex
  • 93979 — Limited aorta/iliac duplex

Mammography & Breast Imaging CPT Codes

  • 77065 — Diagnostic mammography, unilateral
  • 77066 — Diagnostic mammography, bilateral
  • 77067 — Screening mammography, bilateral
  • 77061 — Unilateral diagnostic digital breast tomosynthesis
  • 77062 — Bilateral diagnostic digital breast tomosynthesis
  • 77063 — Screening digital breast tomosynthesis add-on
  • 76641 — Complete breast ultrasound
  • 76642 — Limited breast ultrasound
  • 77049 — Bilateral breast MRI without and with contrast

Bone Density / DEXA CPT Codes

  • 77080 — Axial skeleton bone-density study
  • 77081 — Peripheral bone-density study
  • 77085 — Axial bone-density study with vertebral fracture assessment
  • 77086 — Vertebral fracture assessment

Nuclear Medicine CPT Codes

Thyroid
  • 78012 — Thyroid uptake
  • 78013 — Thyroid imaging
  • 78014 — Thyroid imaging with uptake
Bone
  • 78300 — Limited-area bone imaging
  • 78305 — Multiple-area bone imaging
  • 78306 — Whole-body bone imaging
  • 78315 — Three-phase bone imaging
Hepatobiliary
  • 78226 — Hepatobiliary imaging
  • 78227 — Hepatobiliary imaging with intervention/quantification
Gastric
  • 78264 — Gastric emptying study
Renal
  • 78707 — Renal imaging with vascular flow
  • 78708 — Renal imaging with pharmacologic intervention
  • 78709 — Renal imaging with vascular flow and intervention

Cardiac Nuclear Imaging

  • 78451 — Myocardial perfusion SPECT, single study
  • 78452 — Myocardial perfusion SPECT, multiple studies
  • 78453 — Planar myocardial perfusion, single study
  • 78454 — Planar myocardial perfusion, multiple studies

PET / PET-CT CPT Codes

  • 78811 — PET, limited area
  • 78812 — PET, skull base to mid-thigh
  • 78813 — PET, whole body
  • 78814 — PET/CT, limited area
  • 78815 — PET/CT, skull base to mid-thigh
  • 78816 — PET/CT, whole body

Fluoroscopy CPT Codes

  • 76000 — Physician-performed fluoroscopy up to 1 hour
  • 76001 — Fluoroscopy lasting more than 1 hour
Neurologic / Head Imaging
  • R51.9 — Headache, unspecified
  • R42 — Dizziness and giddiness
  • R55 — Syncope and collapse
  • R41.82 — Altered mental status, unspecified
  • R56.9 — Unspecified convulsions
  • G44.209 — Tension-type headache, unspecified
  • G43.909 — Migraine, unspecified, not intractable, without status migrainosus
Chest & Respiratory Imaging
  • R07.9 — Chest pain, unspecified
  • R07.89 — Other chest pain
  • R06.02 — Shortness of breath
  • R05.9 — Cough, unspecified
  • R06.2 — Wheezing
  • J18.9 — Pneumonia, unspecified organism
  • J44.9 — COPD, unspecified
Abdominal & Pelvic Imaging
  • R10.9 — Unspecified abdominal pain
  • R10.10 — Upper abdominal pain, unspecified
  • R10.11 — Right upper-quadrant pain
  • R10.12 — Left upper-quadrant pain
  • R10.30 — Lower abdominal pain, unspecified
  • R10.31 — Right lower-quadrant pain
  • R10.32 — Left lower-quadrant pain
  • R10.84 — Generalized abdominal pain
  • R11.2 — Nausea with vomiting, unspecified
  • K80.20 — Gallbladder calculus without cholecystitis or obstruction
  • N20.0 — Kidney stone
Spine Imaging
  • M54.2 — Cervicalgia
  • M54.50 — Low-back pain, unspecified
  • M54.6 — Thoracic spine pain
  • M54.12 — Cervical radiculopathy
  • M54.16 — Lumbar radiculopathy
  • M54.17 — Lumbosacral radiculopathy
  • M48.061 — Lumbar spinal stenosis without neurogenic claudication
  • M51.36 — Other lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration
Shoulder & Upper-Extremity Imaging
  • M25.511 — Pain in right shoulder
  • M25.512 — Pain in left shoulder
  • M25.519 — Shoulder pain, unspecified
  • M25.521 — Pain in right elbow
  • M25.522 — Pain in left elbow
  • M25.531 — Pain in right wrist
  • M25.532 — Pain in left wrist
  • M79.641 — Pain in right hand
  • M79.642 — Pain in left hand
Hip, Knee & Lower-Extremity Imaging
  • M25.551 — Pain in right hip
  • M25.552 — Pain in left hip
  • M25.561 — Pain in right knee
  • M25.562 — Pain in left knee
  • M25.571 — Pain in right ankle/foot joint
  • M25.572 — Pain in left ankle/foot joint
  • M79.604 — Pain in right leg
  • M79.605 — Pain in left leg
Breast Imaging
  • Z12.31 — Encounter for screening mammogram for breast cancer
  • R92.8 — Other abnormal breast imaging finding
  • N63.0 — Unspecified breast lump
  • N64.4 — Mastodynia / breast pain
  • Z85.3 — Personal history of malignant neoplasm of breast
  • Z80.3 — Family history of malignant neoplasm of breast
Bone Density Imaging
  • M81.0 — Age-related osteoporosis without current pathological fracture
  • M85.80 — Other specified disorders of bone density and structure, unspecified site
  • Z13.820 — Encounter for osteoporosis screening
  • Z78.0 — Asymptomatic menopausal state
Vascular Imaging
  • I65.23 — Bilateral carotid artery stenosis/occlusion
  • I73.9 — Peripheral vascular disease, unspecified
  • I82.409 — Acute embolism/thrombosis of unspecified deep veins of unspecified lower extremity
  • M79.89 — Other soft-tissue disorders
  • R22.40 — Localized swelling/mass of unspecified lower limb
  • R60.0 — Localized edema
Cardiac / Coronary Imaging
  • I25.10 — Atherosclerotic heart disease without angina
  • R07.2 — Precordial pain
  • R07.89 — Other chest pain
  • E78.5 — Hyperlipidemia, unspecified
  • I10 — Essential hypertension
Oncology-Related Imaging
  • C34.90 — Malignant neoplasm of unspecified part of bronchus or lung
  • C50.919 — Malignant neoplasm of unspecified breast site
  • C61 — Malignant neoplasm of prostate
  • C18.9 — Malignant neoplasm of colon, unspecified
  • C64.9 — Malignant neoplasm of unspecified kidney
  • Z85.118 — Personal history of other malignant neoplasm of bronchus/lung
  • Z85.038 — Personal history of other malignant neoplasm of large intestine
  • Z08 — Follow-up examination after completed treatment for malignant neoplasm

Why Diagnostic Imaging Providers Choose 5 Star Billing Services

Our team understands component billing, imaging coding, payer authorization, medical-necessity issues, and modality-specific claim requirements.

Experienced billing professionals review claims and exceptions rather than relying entirely on automation.

Real people are available to investigate denials, follow outstanding claims, communicate with payers, and answer billing questions.

We can support eligibility, authorization, claims, coding, payment posting, denials, A/R, reporting, and credentialing within one revenue-cycle workflow.

We support healthcare providers across all 50 states and work within Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial payer environments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Diagnostic imaging medical billing is the process of coding, submitting, tracking, and reconciling claims for imaging services such as X-rays, CT scans, MRI, ultrasound, mammography, nuclear medicine, and related diagnostic procedures.

Imaging claims can depend on the modality, anatomical area, number of views, contrast use, medical necessity, authorization, ordering-provider information, professional and technical components, and payer-specific billing requirements.

We support prior-authorization workflows for applicable diagnostic imaging services and help identify authorization information needed before claim submission.

Yes. We can support applicable professional-component billing for physician interpretation when the billing arrangement and payer rules permit it.

Yes. We can support technical-component billing where the imaging facility or eligible organization is responsible for the technical portion of the service.

Benefits of Outsourcing Diagnostic Imaging Medical Billing

AI-driven validation and proactive claim management help prevent errors, accelerate payments, and protect Diagnostic Imaging revenue.

Reduce Administrative Work

Move complex payer follow-up, claim corrections, denial management, and billing tasks away from your clinical and front-office teams.

Improve Coding & Modifier Accuracy

Specialized review helps catch incorrect component billing, coding inconsistencies, and missing claim information.

Strengthen Prior Authorization Workflows

Better coordination between authorization and billing can help prevent avoidable imaging claim denials.

Improve A/R Follow-Up

Outstanding claims receive structured attention rather than aging without resolution.

Scale Without Expanding an Internal Billing Department

Outsourced support can grow with increasing imaging volume, locations, modalities, or provider networks.

Our Diagnostic Imaging Medical Billing Service Is Ideal For

Support for organizations providing CT, MRI, X-ray, ultrasound, mammography, and other imaging services.

Professional billing and revenue-cycle support for radiologists and physician groups.

Support for applicable imaging billing workflows involving hospital-affiliated services and professional claims.

Centralized billing and reporting for imaging organizations operating across multiple facilities.

AI-powered anesthesia coding services

Human-Led Diagnostic Imaging Billing. Real Support. Real Revenue Cycle Accountability.

Simplify Your Diagnostic Imaging Billing Today

Contact us today to learn how we can tailor our Diagnostic imaging billing service across any state.

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Email

info@drbillingservice.com

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