Which payers have published criteria for MRI abdomen without contrast (CPT 74181)?

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 MRI abdomen without contrast (CPT 74181)?

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 MRI abdomen without contrast (CPT 74181)?

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 MRI abdomen without contrast (CPT 74181) cost?

Across 1,060 hospitals that publish their negotiated rates, the median commercial insurance rate is $1,133, with the middle half of rates between $549 and $2,027. A patient's own cost depends on their plan, deductible and where the study is done.

What can be done if MRI abdomen without contrast (CPT 74181) 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 74181: MRI abdomen without contrast - Prior Authorization and Price

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CPT 74181

MRI of the abdomen conducted without any contrast material.

MRI Abdomen & Pelvis

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Payer guidelines that apply

Payer	Reviewed using	Guideline	Sections
Aetna	eviCore	Abdomen Imaging Guidelines 1.0.2026, effective Feb 3, 2026 Pediatric Abdomen Imaging Guidelines 2.0.2026, effective Sep 1, 2026 Oncology Imaging Guidelines 2.0.2026, effective Sep 1, 2026 Peripheral Nerve and Neuromuscular Disorders (PNND) Imaging Guidelines 1.0.2026, effective Feb 3, 2026	49 that name this code
Anthem BCBS	Carelon	Oncologic imaging effective Apr 4, 2026 Imaging of the abdomen and pelvis effective Apr 4, 2026 Advanced imaging for vascular indications effective Sep 19, 2026	80 that name this code
Cigna	eviCore	Abdomen Imaging Guidelines 1.0.2026, effective Feb 3, 2026 Pediatric Abdomen Imaging Guidelines 2.0.2026, effective Sep 1, 2026 Oncology Imaging Guidelines 2.0.2026, effective Sep 1, 2026 Peripheral Nerve and Neuromuscular Disorders (PNND) Imaging Guidelines 1.0.2026, effective Feb 3, 2026	49 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	49 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 MRI abdomen without contrast. Each has its own criteria for when the study is considered appropriate.

Pancreatitis Aetna · Anthem BCBS · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Polycystic Kidney Disease Aetna · Anthem BCBS · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Abdominal and/or pelvic pain, undifferentiated Anthem BCBS
Acute Leukemia Anthem BCBS
Adrenal mass Anthem BCBS
Anal Cancer Anthem BCBS
Aneurysm of the abdominal aorta or iliac arteries Anthem BCBS
Appendicitis Anthem BCBS
Biliary tract dilatation or obstruction Anthem BCBS
Bladder and Urothelial Cancers Anthem BCBS
Bladder/Urothelial Cancers: Muscle Invasive Anthem BCBS
Bladder/Urothelial Cancers: Non-muscle Invasive Anthem BCBS
Bone Sarcoma Anthem BCBS
Bowel obstruction Anthem BCBS
Brain and Spinal Cord Malignancy Anthem BCBS
Breast Cancer Anthem BCBS
Cancer screening, not otherwise specified Anthem BCBS
Cancers of the Pleura, Thymus, Heart, and Mediastinum Anthem BCBS
Cancers of Unknown Primary / Cancers Not Otherwise Specified Anthem BCBS
Cervical Cancer Anthem BCBS
Cholecystitis Anthem BCBS
Choledocholithiasis Anthem BCBS
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia or small lymphocytic lymphoma Anthem BCBS
Colorectal Cancer Anthem BCBS
Congenital and developmental conditions, not otherwise specified Anthem BCBS
Congenital or developmental vascular anomalies, not otherwise specified Anthem BCBS
Constipation (Pediatric only) Anthem BCBS
Diffuse liver disease Anthem BCBS
Focal liver lesion Anthem BCBS
Gastric Cancer Anthem BCBS
Gastrointestinal bleeding Anthem BCBS
Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) Anthem BCBS
Head and Neck Cancer Anthem BCBS
Hematuria (painless or undifferentiated) Anthem BCBS
Hepatocellular and Biliary Tract Cancers Anthem BCBS
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) screening Anthem BCBS
Hepatomegaly Anthem BCBS
Hernia Anthem BCBS
Histiocytic Neoplasms Anthem BCBS
Hydronephrosis Anthem BCBS

Plus 71 more. Use the search below to find a specific condition.

Typical price

Commercial insurance, median

$1,133

Middle half of rates: $549 to $2,027

Medicare, hospital outpatient

$244

Facility payment

Medicare, physician fee schedule

$195

National, non-facility

Commercial figures come from negotiated rates published by 1,060 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 MRI abdomen without contrast change.

CPT 74181: MRI abdomen without contrast - 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 74181: MRI abdomen without contrast - 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