C8906, Magnetic resonance imaging with contrast, breast; bilateral
HCPCS/CPT
Prior Authorization
Prior Auth Required
Code explicitly requires prior authorization (high confidence)
Documentation Required
- The patient’s medical record must document medical necessity supporting the related LCD (L33585), including relevant medical history, physical examination, and results of pertinent diagnostic tests or procedures.
- A clear clinical indication for the breast sonogram, breast MRI, or ductogram must be documented in both the medical record and the referral order.
- The medical record must include a formal written report describing all views completed, the reason for the test, a description of the test, interpretation and results, and the name of the physician to whom the report is being sent.
- For services requiring a referring/ordering physician, the name and UPIN or NPI of the referring/ordering physician must be reported on the claim; for breast sonography, breast MRI, and ductogram, the treating/ordering physician NPI is required on the claim (report in CMS-1500 item 17a or electronic equivalent).
- For diagnostic tests, report the test result on the claim if known; otherwise report the symptoms prompting the performance of the test.
- Documentation supporting services included within the related LCD must be available to Medicare upon request.
Key Coverage Criteria
- Breast sonography (CPT 76641, 76642) is covered when the medical record documents medical necessity per the related LCD (L33585); if performed bilaterally, report modifier 50 with CPT 76641 or 76642.
- Breast MRI is covered only when billed with CPT code 77046, 77047, 77048, or 77049 and when medical necessity is documented per the related LCD (L33585).
- Mammary ductogram/galactogram is covered only when billed with CPT 77053 or 77054 and medical necessity is documented per the related LCD (L33585); use CPT 19030 for contrast injection when billed separately.
- For Part A facility billing, breast sonography should be billed using CPT 76641/76642; breast MRI may be billed using HCPCS C8903, C8905, C8906, C8908 or CPT 77046/77047; ductography should be billed using CPT 77053 or 77054.
- Diagnostic mammography, breast sonography (echography), breast MRI, and ductography are covered when a clear clinical indication for the test is documented in the medical record and in the referral/order.
- A diagnostic mammogram performed after an initial screening mammogram (conversion from screening to diagnostic) is allowable when the screening abnormality prompting additional views is documented in the record.
16 Active Policies
CGS-L33950, Breast Imaging Mammography/Breast Echography (Sonography)/Breast MRI/Ductography
J15
A52849, Billing and Coding: Breast Imaging: Breast Echography (Sonography)/Breast MRI/Ductography
J6
NGS-L33585, Breast Imaging: Breast Echography (Sonography)/Breast MRI/Ductography
JK
CARELON-oncologic-imaging-2025-11-15, Oncologic Imaging
CARELON-imaging-of-the-chest-2026-04-04, Imaging of the Chest
CARELON-oncologic-imaging-2026-04-04, Oncologic Imaging
EVICORE-HPLAN-AETNA-5BB4F6E94100, Aetna Cardiology and Radiology Code List - Effective 01/01/2026
EVICORE-HPLAN-CIGNA-1815296EE67F, Cigna Comprehensive Code List - Effective 03/07/2026
EVICORE-HPLAN-CIGNA-3623642AC89E, Cigna Commercial Radiology Code List - Effective 03/07/2026
EVICORE-HPLAN-CIGNA_MEDICARE-4510B5F98EEE, 1199SEIU Radiology and Cardiology PA Code List - Effective 01/01/2026
EVICORE-HPLAN-EMBLEM_GHI-47D7797307C9, GHI/Emblem Non-City of New York & Medicare Radiology and Cardiology Code List - Effective 01/01/2026
EVICORE-HPLAN-EOCCO-F43FD04E5F71, EOCCO Cardiology & Radiology Code List - Effective 01/01/2026
HUMANA-BREAST-IMAGING-MA, Breast Imaging
EVICORE-HPLAN-THE_HEALTH_PLAN-7F1E537E45E3, The Health Plan Cardiology & Radiology Code List - Effective 01/01/2026
A56448, Billing and Coding: Breast Imaging Mammography/Breast Echography (Sonography)/Breast MRI/Ductography
CARELON-imaging-of-the-chest-2025-03-23, Imaging of the Chest
Related Codes
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