Which payers have published criteria for CT angiography head (CPT 70496)?

The imaging guidelines used by Aetna, Anthem BCBS, Cigna, Medicare, UnitedHealthcare include criteria that apply to this study. Whether a specific patient's plan requires prior authorization depends on the plan, so confirm on the payer's portal or by phone before scheduling.

Who reviews prior authorization requests for CT angiography head (CPT 70496)?

Most commercial payers hand imaging reviews to a radiology benefit manager. For the payers tracked here, requests are reviewed using guidelines from eviCore, Carelon, CMS, UnitedHealthcare / eviCore. The request is submitted through that organization's portal rather than the health plan's general line.

What should be in the clinical notes before requesting CT angiography head (CPT 70496)?

Reviewers look for a recent office visit that documents the symptoms and how long they have lasted, exam findings, results of any earlier imaging, treatments already tried and how the patient responded, and the specific question the study is expected to answer. The diagnosis code on the request should match what the notes describe.

How much does CT angiography head (CPT 70496) cost?

Across 1,086 hospitals that publish their negotiated rates, the median commercial insurance rate is $992, with the middle half of rates between $486 and $1,871. A patient's own cost depends on their plan, deductible and where the study is done.

What can be done if CT angiography head (CPT 70496) is denied?

Read the denial letter for the stated reason, then request a peer-to-peer conversation between the ordering clinician and the reviewing physician, which often resolves missing-information denials. If that fails, file a written appeal that answers the stated reason directly and attach the supporting notes. The denial letter lists the deadline and where to send the appeal.

CPT 70496: CT angiography head - Prior Authorization and Price

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CPT 70496

CT angiography of the head is conducted with contrast dye.

CTA Head & Neck

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Payer guidelines that apply

Payer	Reviewed using	Guideline	Sections
Aetna	eviCore	Head Imaging Guidelines 2.0.2026, effective Sep 1, 2026 Pediatric Head Imaging Guidelines 2.0.2026, effective Sep 1, 2026 Pediatric and Special Populations Oncology Imaging Guidelines 2.0.2026, effective Sep 1, 2026 Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD) Imaging Guidelines 2.0.2026, effective Sep 1, 2026	57 that name this code
Anthem BCBS	Carelon	Advanced imaging for vascular indications effective Sep 19, 2026	17 that name this code
Cigna	eviCore	Head Imaging Guidelines 2.0.2026, effective Sep 1, 2026 Pediatric Head Imaging Guidelines 2.0.2026, effective Sep 1, 2026 Pediatric and Special Populations Oncology Imaging Guidelines 2.0.2026, effective Sep 1, 2026 Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD) Imaging Guidelines 2.0.2026, effective Sep 1, 2026	57 that name this code
Medicare	CMS	NCD 220.1: Computed Tomography effective Mar 12, 2008 L37373: MRI and CT Scans of the Head and Neck (Noridian Healthcare Solutions) effective Oct 23, 2025	2 that name this code
Original Medicare does not run a prior authorization program for outpatient imaging; claims are judged against the coverage policies above. Medicare Advantage plans set their own prior authorization rules.
UnitedHealthcare	UnitedHealthcare / eviCore	Commercial and Exchange Cardiovascular and Radiology Imaging Guidelines 09.2026, effective Sep 1, 2026	56 that name this code

Guidelines collected from the payers' published documents on September 29, 2026. Payers revise these documents during the year. Open the guideline link to confirm the current version before you submit.

Conditions the guidelines address for this study

These are the clinical situations where payer guidelines discuss CT angiography head. Each has its own criteria for when the study is considered appropriate.

Headache Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Cerebrovascular Disease Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
CNS and Head Infection/Neuro-COVID-19 Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Chiari and Skull-Base Malformations Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Cerebral Aneurysm and AVM Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Dizziness, Vertigo and Syncope Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Facial Palsy (Bell's Palsy)/Hemifacial Spasm Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Cerebral Vasculitis Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Epistaxis Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Eye Disorders and Visual Loss Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Head and Facial Trauma Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Hearing Loss and Tinnitus Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Neurosurgical Imaging Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Other Imaging Studies Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Papilledema/Pseudotumor Cerebri Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Pituitary, Sella, Hypothalamus Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Scalp and Skull Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Trigeminal Neuralgia and other Centrally Mediated Facial Pain Syndromes Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Histiocytic Disorders Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Pediatric Stroke Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Intracranial Aneurysms and AVM Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
CNS Tumors Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Epilepsy and Other Seizure Disorders Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Pediatric Ear Disorders Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Pediatric Headache Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Primary Central Nervous System Tumors Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Screening for Peripheral Artery /Aneurysmal Disease Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Sinusitis and Allergic Rhinitis Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Transplant Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Aneurysm, extracranial (carotid or vertebral) Anthem BCBS
Aneurysm, intracranial Anthem BCBS
Arteriovenous malformation (AVM) or fistula (AVF) Anthem BCBS
Computed Tomography Medicare
Congenital or developmental vascular anomalies, not otherwise specified Anthem BCBS
Dissection, intracranial or extracranial Anthem BCBS
Evaluation for suspected vascular complications following a procedure Anthem BCBS
Fibromuscular dysplasia Anthem BCBS
Hemorrhage, intracranial Anthem BCBS
MRI and CT Scans of the Head and Neck Medicare
Procedure related imaging of the intracranial vessels Anthem BCBS

Plus 8 more. Use the search below to find a specific condition.

Typical price

Commercial insurance, median

$992

Middle half of rates: $486 to $1,871

Medicare, hospital outpatient

$179

Facility payment

Medicare, physician fee schedule

$275

National, non-facility

Commercial figures come from negotiated rates published by 1,086 hospitals; Medicare figures from CMS fee schedules. Rates vary widely by hospital and plan. Pricing data from CenterIQ.

Get notified when the rules for this study change

Payers update imaging guidelines several times a year. We will email you when the criteria for CT angiography head change.

CPT 70496: CT angiography head - Prior Authorization and Price

Payer guidelines that apply

Conditions the guidelines address for this study

Typical price

Get notified when the rules for this study change

Frequently asked questions

Imaging CPT Code Coverage Lookup

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CPT 70496: CT angiography head - Prior Authorization and Price

Payer guidelines that apply

Conditions the guidelines address for this study

Typical price

Get notified when the rules for this study change

Frequently asked questions

Related studies

Imaging CPT Code Coverage Lookup

Quick Access - Common Imaging CPT Codes

CT

MRI

MRA

PET