Mri neck spine w/o dye

What is CPT Code 72141?

MRI of the cervical spine without contrast. Ordered for neck pain, radiculopathy, numbness or tingling in the arms, and evaluation of disc herniations or spinal cord compression at the cervical level.

The Medicare reimbursement rate shown above is the amount the federal government has determined is a reasonable payment for this service. Hospitals and providers that participate in Medicare have agreed to accept these rates from Medicare patients.

Who typically bills this:Radiologist (interpretation) + hospital or outpatient imaging center (technical)

Common Billing Errors for CPT 72141

• !Billed alongside lumbar or thoracic spine MRI without separate clinical justification
• !Upcoded to include contrast when no contrast was administered
• !Separate charges for MRI and a same-day X-ray of the same region without distinct medical rationale

Red Flags on Your Bill

Negotiation Tips for CPT 72141

1. 1Medicare professional rate is roughly $90–$120; negotiate hospital facility charges toward 2–3x that rate
2. 2Request the ordering physician's note documenting the reason for a cervical (vs lumbar) MRI specifically
3. 3Cervical spine MRI at an outpatient imaging center typically runs $400–$900

Codes That Often Appear With This One

These CPT codes commonly appear on the same bill. Review each one to spot potential bundling errors or duplicate charges.

Found CPT 72141 on Your Bill?

If you see CPT code 72141 on a hospital or medical bill, compare the charged amount to the Medicare rate above. If your bill shows a significantly higher charge, you may have grounds to negotiate.

1. Note the amount charged for CPT 72141 on your itemized bill
2. Compare it to the Medicare rate above — calculate the markup
3. Call the billing department and use the Medicare rate as your anchor:“I see CPT code 72141 billed at [amount]. The Medicare rate for this procedure is $198.28. I'd like to discuss a fair adjustment.”