Chest Imaging Guidelines

This policy covers chest imaging (radiography, CT, ultrasound and MRI) for evaluation of common chest symptoms and conditions — for example cough, dyspnea/shortness of breath, non‑cardiac chest pain, hemoptysis, COPD, bronchiectasis, interstitial lung disease, pneumonia/COVID‑19, solitary pulmonary nodules, sarcoid, asbestos exposure and other thoracic abnormalities. It is limited to typical presentations (atypical cases require physician review), generally expects a recent chest x‑ray (usually within 60 days) before advanced imaging, and includes modality‑specific restrictions (e.g., CT contrast/use of high‑resolution CT coding, infrequent indications for MRI) and recommended clinician consultation.

"Chest Trauma (CH-21)"

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