Question:
Please advise the correct procedure code for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the lumbar spine with weight-bearing.
Answer
There is no special (or additional) code for MRI lumbar spine with weight-bearing. Depending on whether or not intravenous (IV) or intrathecal contrast was used, one of the following codes would be assigned, as you would in the case of any MRI lumbar spine:
72148 Magnetic resonance (e.g., proton) imaging, spinal canal and contents, lumbar; without contrast material
72149 Magnetic resonance (e.g., proton) imaging, spinal canal and contents, lumbar; with contrast material(s)
72158 Magnetic resonance (e.g., proton) imaging, spinal canal and contents, without contrast material, followed by contrast material(s) and further sequences; lumbar
Answer: