NCCI Chapter 9: Radiology Policies
NCCI policies specific to radiology services, including component coding rules (technical and professional), supervision and interpretation services, and contrast/non-contrast bundling.
Primary source
NCCI Policy Manual Chapter 9 (Radiology) — CMS.gov →https://www.cms.gov/medicare/coding-billing/national-correct-coding-initiative-ncci-edits/medicare-ncci-policy-manual
Verified May 23, 2026 · This is the authoritative regulator URL. The summary below is a research aid; the linked source controls.
NCCI Chapter 9 of the NCCI Policy Manual addresses radiology coding. Major principles:
Component coding: many radiology codes have a Technical Component (TC) and Professional Component (PC, reported with modifier 26). When the same provider performs both, the global service is reported without a modifier. When the technical and professional components are provided by different entities, they bill separately with the appropriate modifier.
Supervision and interpretation (S&I) codes describe the imaging/interpretation portion of a procedure that also has a primary surgical/procedural code. S&I codes are reported in addition to the primary procedure when applicable.
Contrast vs. non-contrast: many imaging codes have separate codes for without contrast, with contrast, and without followed by with contrast. Reporting both without and with-contrast codes is generally inappropriate because the combined CPT code exists.
Bundling: radiology codes are subject to PTP edits with one another and with procedural codes that include imaging guidance as part of the procedure (e.g., percutaneous needle placement codes that include the imaging guidance code).
Radiology billing exposure typically clusters around modifier 26 misuse, double-billing imaging guidance, and reporting separate views when a combined view code exists.
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Related across the archive
- RegulationNCCI Global Surgical Package PolicyMedicare's global surgical package bundles preoperative, intraoperative, and routine postoperative care into a single payment for the surgical CPT code, with global periods of 0, 10, or 90 days.
- RegulationNCCI Policy Manual OverviewThe National Correct Coding Initiative is the CMS coding edits program that prevents improper Medicare payment due to incorrect code reporting; the Policy Manual is the authoritative coding-policy reference.
- RegulationNCCI Modifier Overrides (Modifier 59 and X{EPSU})Modifier 59 (and its more specific subsets XE, XS, XP, XU) is the principal mechanism for overriding a PTP edit when a procedure is distinct or independent from another performed on the same day.
- RegulationNCCI Chapter 10: Pathology and Laboratory PoliciesNCCI policies for clinical laboratory services, including panel-vs-component coding, automated multi-channel chemistry rules, and Date of Service rules for lab tests.
- RegulationModifier 25: Significant, Separately Identifiable E/M ServiceModifier 25 is appended to an E/M code when the E/M is significant and separately identifiable from another procedure or service performed on the same day by the same provider.
- RegulationNCCI Chapter 11: Evaluation and Management ServicesNCCI policy on bundling and separately reporting E/M services with procedures, including modifier 25 use and global surgical package interactions.
- RegulationNCCI Bilateral Procedure Reporting RulesMedicare's policy for reporting bilateral procedures uses the MPFS Bilateral Indicator (0, 1, 2, 3, 9) and depends on whether the code descriptor already includes both sides.
- RegulationNCCI Medically Unlikely Edits (MUEs)MUEs are maximum units of service that a single provider would reasonably report on a single date for a single beneficiary, with three adjudication levels (line, date, claim).
Last reviewed May 23, 2026 · Citation verified May 23, 2026
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