How to use CPT® codes (0865T and 0866T) for quantitative brain MRI
- Milan Walraevens
- Jan 22, 2024
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 23
The American Medical Association (AMA) and the American College of Radiology (ACR) have published an article demonstrating how to use the new CPT-III codes, illustrated by a real-world example involving icobrain.
Boston, USA / Leuven, Belgium - January 22, 2023
The article describes a case of a person with a history of demyelinating disease, who was referred by a neurologist for a brain MRI examination, including quantitative MRI assessment by icobrain. For a case such as this one, on or after January 1, 2024, it is appropriate to report code 70553 for the brain MRI with and without contrast and add-on code 0866T for icobrain.
The article notes that quantitative imaging analysis (e.g., via icobrain) reported under code 0866T is used for patients with multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer disease, traumatic brain injury, stroke, epilepsy, and Parkinson disease. Subtle areas of abnormality that are not easily detected by the human eye are identified and compared with previous MR imaging to determine changes and disease progression.
Tools like icobrain generate quantitative analyses that supplement conventional imaging, supporting radiologists and neurologists in their clinical assessment. These findings are reviewed and interpreted by the reading physician, who finalizes the diagnostic report. The results are presented in a detailed electronic report, complete with annotated images that highlight segmentations superimposed on the original MR images that are not readily obtained with routine MRI brain examinations. In addition, the software compares these findings with earlier scans, facilitating an accurate assessment of changes and quantifying disease burden for review and confirmation by the radiologist. A final report is refined based on the interpreting provider’s professional assessment.
The article further states that currently, MRI brain and quantitative analyses by icobrain are commonly performed and reported on the same date of service. However, the physician may order icobrain to be performed during a separate session, such as using an MR scan performed on an earlier date.
For the CPT® 2024 code set, The AMA’s CPT® Editorial Panel approved two new Category III codes (0865T, 0866T) for quantitative brain MRI analysis, as performed with tools such as icobrain. More information can be found here. Please reach out to us for any questions on this CPT® code and if we can help your hospital to start implementing these new codes.
This real-world example from clinical practice showcases the power of icobrain and how it contributes to advancing patient care. We’re honored that the AMA and ACR included a real-world example involving icobrain in their article, which helps illustrate how digital health technologies may be used in clinical practice.
