Which payers have published criteria for MR angiography abdomen (CPT 74185)?

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 abdomen (CPT 74185)?

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 abdomen (CPT 74185)?

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 abdomen (CPT 74185) cost?

Across 673 hospitals that publish their negotiated rates, the median commercial insurance rate is $1,654, with the middle half of rates between $971 and $2,594. A patient's own cost depends on their plan, deductible and where the study is done.

What can be done if MR angiography abdomen (CPT 74185) 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 74185: MR angiography abdomen - Prior Authorization and Price

Home › CPT Codes › MR angiography abdomen

CPT 74185

MRI scan focusing on the blood vessels in the abdomen.

MRA Abdomen & Pelvis

Build a submission checklist for this study

Payer guidelines that apply

Payer	Reviewed using	Guideline	Sections
Aetna	eviCore	Abdomen Imaging Guidelines 1.0.2026, effective Feb 3, 2026 Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD) Imaging Guidelines 2.0.2026, effective Sep 1, 2026 Cardiac Imaging Guidelines 2.0.2026, effective Sep 1, 2026 Spine Imaging Guidelines 2.0.2026, effective Sep 1, 2026	36 that name this code
Anthem BCBS	Carelon	Advanced imaging for vascular indications effective Sep 19, 2026	15 that name this code
Cigna	eviCore	Abdomen Imaging Guidelines 1.0.2026, effective Feb 3, 2026 Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD) Imaging Guidelines 2.0.2026, effective Sep 1, 2026 Cardiac Imaging Guidelines 2.0.2026, effective Sep 1, 2026 Spine Imaging Guidelines 2.0.2026, effective Sep 1, 2026	36 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	36 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 abdomen. Each has its own criteria for when the study is considered appropriate.

Transplant Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Hepatic and Abdominal Arteries Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Mesenteric/Colonic Ischemia Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Bowel Obstruction, Gastroparesis, and Bloating Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Indeterminate Renal Lesion Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Liver Lesion Characterization Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Renal Failure Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Chronic limb swelling due to chronic deep venous thrombosis (DVT)/May-Thurner syndrome Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Acute Limb Swelling Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Congestive Heart Failure Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Pediatric Liver and Pancreatic Tumors Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Breast Reconstruction Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Disorders of the Aorta and Visceral Arteries Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Infantile Hemangiomas Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome, Nutcracker Syndrome and other Abdominal Vascular Compression Syndromes Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Post-Operative Spinal Disorders Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Renovascular Hypertension and Other Secondary Causes of Hypertension Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Screening for Peripheral Artery /Aneurysmal Disease Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Spinal Deformities (e.g., Scoliosis/Kyphosis) Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Aneurysm of the abdominal aorta or iliac arteries Anthem BCBS
Aortic dissection and other aortopathies Anthem BCBS
Arteriovenous malformation (AVM) or fistula (AVF) 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
Mesenteric ischemia or mesenteric stenosis/occlusion Anthem BCBS
Portal hypertension Anthem BCBS
Renal artery stenosis (RAS)/Renovascular hypertension Anthem BCBS
Stenosis or occlusion of the abdominal aorta or iliac arteries (aortoiliac peripheral arterial disease) Anthem BCBS
Traumatic vascular injury Anthem BCBS
Vascular anatomic delineation prior to surgical and interventional procedures, not otherwise specified* Anthem BCBS
Vasculitis Anthem BCBS
Visceral artery aneurysm Anthem BCBS

Typical price

Commercial insurance, median

$1,654

Middle half of rates: $971 to $2,594

Medicare, physician fee schedule

$337

National, non-facility

Commercial figures come from negotiated rates published by 673 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 abdomen change.

CPT 74185: MR angiography abdomen - 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

Quick Access - Common Imaging CPT Codes

CT

MRI

MRA

PET

CPT 74185: MR angiography abdomen - 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