Which payers have published criteria for MR angiography chest (CPT 71555)?

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 MR angiography chest (CPT 71555)?

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 MR angiography chest (CPT 71555)?

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 MR angiography chest (CPT 71555) cost?

Across 641 hospitals that publish their negotiated rates, the median commercial insurance rate is $1,548, with the middle half of rates between $912 and $2,402. A patient's own cost depends on their plan, deductible and where the study is done.

What can be done if MR angiography chest (CPT 71555) 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 71555: MR angiography chest - Prior Authorization and Price

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CPT 71555

Performing an MRI angiography of the chest without contrast dye.

MRA Chest

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Payer guidelines that apply

Payer	Reviewed using	Guideline	Sections
Aetna	eviCore	Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD) Imaging Guidelines 2.0.2026, effective Sep 1, 2026 Pediatric Cardiac Imaging Guidelines effective Feb 3, 2026 Cardiac Imaging Guidelines 2.0.2026, effective Sep 1, 2026 Chest Imaging Guidelines 1.0.2026, effective Feb 3, 2026	29 that name this code
Anthem BCBS	Carelon	Advanced imaging for vascular indications effective Sep 19, 2026	10 that name this code
Cigna	eviCore	Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD) Imaging Guidelines 2.0.2026, effective Sep 1, 2026 Pediatric Cardiac Imaging Guidelines 1.0.2026, effective Feb 3, 2026 Cardiac Imaging Guidelines 2.0.2026, effective Sep 1, 2026 Chest Imaging Guidelines 1.0.2026, effective Feb 3, 2026	29 that name this code
Medicare	CMS	NCD 220.2: Magnetic Resonance Imaging effective Apr 10, 2018	1 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	28 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 MR angiography chest. Each has its own criteria for when the study is considered appropriate.

Screening for Peripheral Artery /Aneurysmal Disease Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Imaging for Hemodialysis Access Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Congestive Heart Failure Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Solitary Pulmonary Nodule (SPN) Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Disorders of the Aorta and Visceral Arteries Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Dysphagia Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Dysphagia and Upper Digestive Tract Disorders Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Infantile Hemangiomas Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Kawasaki Disease Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Pleural-Based Nodules and Other Abnormalities Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Pulmonary Arteriovenous Fistula (AVM) Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Vascular Malformations Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Aortic dissection and other aortopathies Anthem BCBS
Atheromatous disease (Adult only) Anthem BCBS
Congenital or developmental vascular anomalies, not otherwise specified Anthem BCBS
Evaluation for suspected vascular complications following a procedure Anthem BCBS
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Medicare
Other vascular indications in the chest Anthem BCBS
Thoracic aortic aneurysm Anthem BCBS
Traumatic vascular injury Anthem BCBS
Vascular anatomic delineation prior to surgical and interventional procedures, not otherwise specified* Anthem BCBS
Vasculitis Anthem BCBS

Typical price

Commercial insurance, median

$1,548

Middle half of rates: $912 to $2,402

Medicare, physician fee schedule

$336

National, non-facility

Commercial figures come from negotiated rates published by 641 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 MR angiography chest change.

CPT 71555: MR angiography chest - 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 71555: MR angiography chest - 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