Which payers have published criteria for CT angiography neck (CPT 70498)?

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 neck (CPT 70498)?

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 neck (CPT 70498)?

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 neck (CPT 70498) cost?

Across 1,078 hospitals that publish their negotiated rates, the median commercial insurance rate is $1,042, with the middle half of rates between $468 and $2,004. A patient's own cost depends on their plan, deductible and where the study is done.

What can be done if CT angiography neck (CPT 70498) 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 70498: CT angiography neck - Prior Authorization and Price

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CPT 70498

CT angiography of the neck is performed using 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 Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD) Imaging Guidelines 2.0.2026, effective Sep 1, 2026 Neck Imaging Guidelines 1.0.2026, effective Feb 3, 2026	38 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 Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD) Imaging Guidelines 2.0.2026, effective Sep 1, 2026 Neck Imaging Guidelines 1.0.2026, effective Feb 3, 2026	38 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	37 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 neck. Each has its own criteria for when the study is considered appropriate.

CNS and Head Infection/Neuro-COVID-19 Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Headache Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Chiari and Skull-Base Malformations Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Cerebral Aneurysm and AVM Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Cerebrovascular Disease Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Dizziness, Vertigo and Syncope Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Eye Disorders and Visual Loss Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Cerebral Vasculitis Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Epistaxis Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Facial Palsy (Bell's Palsy)/Hemifacial Spasm Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Hearing Loss and Tinnitus Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Pediatric Stroke Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Neck Pain/Neck Trauma Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Epilepsy and Other Seizure Disorders Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Intracranial Aneurysms and AVM Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Pediatric Ear Disorders Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Screening for Peripheral Artery /Aneurysmal Disease 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
Horner’s syndrome Anthem BCBS
MRI and CT Scans of the Head and Neck Medicare
Procedure related imaging of the intracranial vessels Anthem BCBS
Pulsatile tinnitus Anthem BCBS
Signs, symptoms, and abnormal imaging (including stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA)) Anthem BCBS
Stenosis or occlusion of the carotid and vertebrobasilar arteries without symptoms Anthem BCBS
Traumatic vascular injury Anthem BCBS
Vascular anatomic delineation prior to surgical and interventional procedures, not otherwise specified* Anthem BCBS
Vasculitis Anthem BCBS
Venous thrombosis or compression, extracranial Anthem BCBS

Typical price

Commercial insurance, median

$1,042

Middle half of rates: $468 to $2,004

Medicare, hospital outpatient

$179

Facility payment

Medicare, physician fee schedule

$275

National, non-facility

Commercial figures come from negotiated rates published by 1,078 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 neck change.

CPT 70498: CT angiography neck - 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

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CPT 70498: CT angiography neck - 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