2021 CPT Code Updates
Radiology Section
Diagnostic Radiology—Chest. Prior to 2021, there was not a code to specify a computed tomography (CT) scan for lung cancer screening. For 2021, new code 71271 was created to report a new low-dose CT scan for lung cancer screening. Codes 71250, 71260, and 71270 were revised to include the terminology “diagnostic,” since these codes are now to be used for diagnostic examination and not to screen an asymptomatic patient. The parenthetical guidance for code 71271 specifically notes this is not for breast CT procedures.
2021 CPT Code Updates Reference
https://journal.ahima.org/highlights-of-the-2021-cpt-code-updates/
