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Computed tomographic (CT) colonography, commonly known as virtual colonoscopy, is a non-invasive imaging procedure designed to screen for abnormalities within the colon, such as polyps, masses, or lesions. This advanced imaging technique utilizes CT technology to create detailed images of the colon and rectum, allowing for thorough examination without the need for traditional colonoscopy. Prior to the procedure, patients undergo a bowel preparation regimen the night before to ensure that the bowel is clear of stool, which is crucial for obtaining high-quality images. During the procedure, a small flexible tube is inserted into the rectum to introduce air or carbon dioxide gas into the colon, facilitating its distension. This distension is essential for capturing clear images of the colon walls. The patient is positioned on the CT table, and imaging is performed in two phases: first while the patient is lying on their back (supine) and then while lying on their stomach (prone). This dual positioning allows for comprehensive imaging of the colon from multiple angles. After the images are obtained, they are processed to create three-dimensional reconstructions of the colon, which can be adjusted for optimal visualization. The resulting images are then compared to any prior radiological studies, and a physician interprets the findings, providing a detailed written report that outlines any detected abnormalities.
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CT colonography is indicated for the screening of various conditions related to the colon. The following are the specific indications for this procedure:
The procedure for CT colonography involves several key steps that ensure accurate imaging of the colon. The following outlines the procedural steps:
After the completion of the CT colonography, patients may experience mild discomfort due to the gas introduced into the colon. It is generally recommended that patients resume normal activities shortly after the procedure, as it is non-invasive and typically does not require sedation. However, they should be advised to monitor for any unusual symptoms, such as severe abdominal pain or changes in bowel habits, and to contact their healthcare provider if such symptoms occur. The physician will provide the patient with the written report of findings, which may guide any necessary follow-up actions or further diagnostic procedures based on the results of the CT colonography.
| Short Descr | CT COLONOGRAPHY SCREENING | Medium Descr | CT COLONOGRAPHY SCREENING IMAGE POSTPROCESSING | Long Descr | Computed tomographic (CT) colonography, screening, including image postprocessing | Status Code | Active Code | Global Days | XXX - Global Concept Does Not Apply | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 1 - Diagnostic Tests for Radiology Services | Multiple Procedures (51) | 4 - Special payment adjustment rules on the technical component (TC) of multiple diagnostic imaging procedures apply... | Bilateral Surgery (50) | 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does NOT apply. | Physician Supervisions | 09 - Concept does not apply. | Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) | 0 - Payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure... | Co-Surgeons (62) | 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Team Surgery (66) | 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Diagnostic Imaging Family | 88 - | APC Status Indicator | Procedure or Service, Not Discounted when Multiple | Type of Service (TOS) | 4 - Diagnostic Radiology | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | T1G - Lab tests - other (Medicare fee schedule) | MUE | Not applicable/unspecified. | CCS Clinical Classification | 179 - CT scan abdomen |
This is a primary code that can be used with these additional add-on codes.
| 0722T | Add On Code MPFS Status: Carrier Priced APC S Quantitative computed tomography (CT) tissue characterization, including interpretation and report, obtained with concurrent CT examination of any structure contained in the concurrently acquired diagnostic imaging dataset (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) |
| 26 | Professional component: certain procedures are a combination of a physician or other qualified health care professional component and a technical component. when the physician or other qualified health care professional component is reported separately, the service may be identified by adding modifier 26 to the usual procedure number. | GA | Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case | TC | Technical component; under certain circumstances, a charge may be made for the technical component alone; under those circumstances the technical component charge is identified by adding modifier 'tc' to the usual procedure number; technical component charges are institutional charges and not billed separately by physicians; however, portable x-ray suppliers only bill for technical component and should utilize modifier tc; the charge data from portable x-ray suppliers will then be used to build customary and prevailing profiles | X5 | Diagnostic services requested by another clinician: for reporting services by a clinician who furnishes care to the patient only as requested by another clinician or subsequent and related services requested by another clinician; this modifier is reported for patient relationships that may not be adequately captured by the above alternative categories; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the radiologist's interpretation of an imaging study requested by another clinician | GY | Item or service statutorily excluded, does not meet the definition of any medicare benefit or, for non-medicare insurers, is not a contract benefit | GZ | Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | CT | Computed tomography services furnished using equipment that does not meet each of the attributes of the national electrical manufacturers association (nema) xr-29-2013 standard | 52 | Reduced services: under certain circumstances a service or procedure is partially reduced or eliminated at the discretion of the physician or other qualified health care professional. under these circumstances the service provided can be identified by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 52, signifying that the service is reduced. this provides a means of reporting reduced services without disturbing the identification of the basic service. note: for hospital outpatient reporting of a previously scheduled procedure/service that is partially reduced or cancelled as a result of extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well-being of the patient prior to or after administration of anesthesia, see modifiers 73 and 74 (see modifiers approved for asc hospital outpatient use). | 53 | Discontinued procedure: under certain circumstances, the physician or other qualified health care professional may elect to terminate a surgical or diagnostic procedure. due to extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient, it may be necessary to indicate that a surgical or diagnostic procedure was started but discontinued. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 53 to the code reported by the individual for the discontinued procedure. note: this modifier is not used to report the elective cancellation of a procedure prior to the patient's anesthesia induction and/or surgical preparation in the operating suite. for outpatient hospital/ambulatory surgery center (asc) reporting of a previously scheduled procedure/service that is partially reduced or cancelled as a result of extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient prior to or after administration of anesthesia, see modifiers 73 and 74 (see modifiers approved for asc hospital outpatient use). | 59 | Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25. | GX | Notice of liability issued, voluntary under payer policy | MC | Ordering professional is not required to consult a clinical decision support mechanism due to the significant hardship exception of electronic health record or clinical decision support mechanism vendor issues | MG | The order for this service does not have applicable appropriate use criteria in the qualified clinical decision support mechanism consulted by the ordering professional | MH | Unknown if ordering professional consulted a clinical decision support mechanism for this service, related information was not provided to the furnishing professional or provider | Q6 | Service furnished under a fee-for-time compensation arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area | Ordering professional consulted a qualified clinical decision support mechanism for this service and the related data was provided to the furnishing professional |
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| 2011-01-01 | Changed | Short description changed. |
| 2010-01-01 | Added | - |
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