Question:
An MRI scan of the brain and an MRI with perfusion imaging of the brain are ordered and performed, how would the MRI with perfusion imaging be coded? Would it be reported in addition to the diagnostic MRI of the brain?
Answer:
An MRI with perfusion imaging is included in the current brain MRI codes (70551–70553) and would not be separately reported when performed during the same session as a diagnostic brain MRI. The code descriptions for brain MRI do not specify the number and type of sequences performed, they are differentiated only by without, with, and without followed by with contrast material.