The recent CPT code additions in early 2007 have enabled healthcare providers to initiate the reimbursement process for fMRI services. This is an exciting signal for the adoption of functional MR imaging, and reflects the healthcare industry’s positive outlook for fMRI as a standard of care. The following are the American Medical Association's™ fMRI reimbursement initiatives:

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Codes
Functional MRI involves identification and mapping of stimulation of brain function. When neurofunctional tests are administered by a technologist or other non-physician or non-psychologist, use 70554. When neurofunctional tests are entirely administered by a physician or psychologist, use 70555.

70554 Magnetic resonance imaging, brain, functional MRI; including test selection and administration of repetitive body part movement and/or visual stimulation, not requiring physician or psychologist administration.

(Do not report 70554 in conjunction with 96020)

70555 Requiring physician or psychologist administration of entire neurofunctional testing
(Do not report 70555 unless 96020 is performed)

Functional Brain Mapping Code
96020 includes selection and administration of testing of language, memory, cognition, movement, sensation, and other neurological functions when conducted in association with functional neuroimaging, monitoring of performance of this testing, and determination of validity of neurofunctional testing relative to separately interpreted functional magnetic resonance images.

96020 Neurofunctional testing selection and administration during noninvasive imaging functional brain mapping, with test administered entirely by a physician or psychologist, with review of test results and report

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Code descriptions are taken from CPT Changes: An Insider's View 2007

"Clinical Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging" fMRI CPT Study by Hart, Rao, and Nuwer