Will new CPT codes spark utilization of quantitative MRI?

Efforts to bring quantitative MRI analysis into clinical practice received a boost with the availability of two new Category III Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes for brain MRI.

Effective January 1, 2024, the new codes, 0865T and 0866T, support the use of software to analyze brain MRI exams with comparison to prior studies. AI software would qualify under the Category III CPT codes, which are for new and emerging technology:

0865T -- qMRI analysis of the brain with comparison to prior MR study(ies), including lesion identification, characterization, and quantification, with brain volume(s) quantification and/or severity score, when performed, data preparation and transmission, interpretation, and report, obtained without diagnostic MRI examination of the brain during the same session.
0866T -- qMRI analysis of the brain with comparison to prior MR study(ies), including lesion detection, characterization, and quantification, with brain volume(s) quantification and/or severity score, when performed, data preparation and transmission, interpretation, and report, obtained with diagnostic MRI examination of the brain. Health Catalyst explains that 0866T is an add-on code that is used in conjunction with 70551-70553.The timing of the new codes dovetails with advances in neuroimaging, such as in the assessment of white-matter diseases. As AuntMinnie.com has reported, signs of injury to the brain's white matter called white-matter hyperintensities, as seen on brain ...

Source: AuntMinnie.com Headlines - January 30, 2024 Category: Radiology Authors: Liz Carey Tags: Artificial Intelligence SENL Source Type: news