Preface to the Imaging Guidelines

eviCore’s preface provides modality‑specific appropriate‑use guidance for US, CT, MRI, PET/PET‑CT, PET‑MRI and SPECT/CT, supports many condition‑specific indications but excludes screening whole‑body CT/LifeScan and generally excludes whole‑body MRI and PET‑MRI (except for select cancer/autoimmune indications or strict PET‑MRI criteria), disallows unbundling PET/CT into separate PET and diagnostic CT codes, and flags investigational mp‑MRI and other limited services. Key requirements: advanced imaging generally requires a recent clinical evaluation with documented history/physical/labs and prior imaging (spine/MSK needs x‑rays), physician supervision documentation for 3D rendering, adherence to coding/billing limits and prior authorization where applicable, and CMS rules prevail for Medicare beneficiaries.

"CT is superior to other imaging modalities in certain conditions, including but not limited to the following: Imaging abdominal and pelvic viscera."