74018 Abdomen X-ray Medicare reimbursement rates in Arkansas

A technologist obtains one projection of the abdomen, commonly a supine kidney-ureter-bladder (KUB) view, in an office, imaging center, emergency department, or at the bedside. Clinicians order it to evaluate bowel gas in suspected obstruction or ileus, locate radiopaque urinary stones or ingested objects, and check enteric tube position when the anatomy needed for confirmation is visible. A radiologist or other qualified interpreting physician reviews the images and documents findings. More than one exposure may be needed to cover the abdomen without creating another view.

Select 74018 by the number of abdominal projections, not the number of images or findings; document the projection obtained and its interpretation. Two abdominal views belong to 74019, three or more to 74021, and a complete acute abdomen series with chest imaging belongs to 74022. Medicare prices the interpretation separately with modifier 26 and the equipment and staff portion with modifier TC. Bill the combined service without a component modifier when the same billing entity provides both portions. For hospital imaging, the physician generally reports modifier 26; the facility reports its technical service.