AMA issues CPT® III code for icometrix’ AI-related brain MRI quantification software

Milan Walraevens
Jul 1, 2023
2 min read

Updated: Jul 23

New CPT® III code enables tracking and reimbursement pathway for AI-supported brain MRI (e.g., icometrix)

BOSTON, USA / LEUVEN, BELGIUM — July 1st, 2023

The AMA has introduced a new CPT® III code for AI-supported quantitative analysis of brain MRI scans, as performed with tools such as icometrix’ FDA-cleared software, AI-related brain MRI quantification software, thereby establishing a framework for tracking and potential future reimbursement.

icometrix is the world-leading brain imaging AI company, providing clinically relevant metrics for cerebral MRI scans. The quantitative analysis AI insights assist clinicians to diagnose, monitor, and assess treatment response for brain disorders such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia, Epilepsy, Traumatic Brain Injury, Stroke, etc.

In the US, Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial health plans use CPT® codes to identify healthcare procedures and services. Once in effect, hospitals and imaging centers may use the new CPT® III codes to report the use of AI-based quantitative MRI analysis (e.g., icobrain), though coverage and reimbursement will depend on payer-specific policies.

“Precision medicine is vital for improving treatment of neurological conditions, and especially for multiple sclerosis”, says Tim Coetzee, Chief Advocacy, Services & Science Officer at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. “This development helps create a pathway for AI tools such as icometrix to be more systematically considered within care models.”, he continues.

“Precision and personalized medicine are indeed becoming the standard of care quickly in neurology”, agrees Dr. Joseph Fritz, CEO of Dent Neurological Institute and co-founder of NeuroNetPRO. “As brain MRI scans are a crucial part of the diagnosis and monitoring in neurology, Quantitative tools (e.g., icometrix) may complement radiological readings and support data-driven care in neurology.”

“Shifting demographics and aging populations are key drivers increasing the demand for brain MRI procedures, and for developing and measuring biomarkers to assess and manage the growing burden of neurologic diseases”, adds Dr. John Jordan, chair of the American College of Radiology Commission on Neuroradiology, and chair of the Standards and Guidelines Committee of the American Society of Neuroradiology.

“Neuroimaging can be a tedious and extremely challenging task for radiologists, particularly as clinical burdens and disease complexity continue to increase. With rapidly evolving technology and new treatments on the horizon for high-impact diseases such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, and neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, we only expect the need for quantitative imaging and assessment of brain MRI scans to increase rapidly”.

“This marks an important step toward wider recognition of AI-based brain imaging technologies. We are proud that our software is among the first in neuroimaging to be included in the CPT® code set.”, says Wim Van Hecke, CEO of icometrix. ”To date, only a handful of companies, in the field of heart disease, lung cancer, and liver disease, have successfully obtained a CPT® III code in radiology AI. As this is the first CPT® code for quantitative brain MRI analysis, we are thrilled about the impact this code will have on the care and management of patients with brain disorders”, concludes Dirk Smeets, Chief Technology Officer at icometrix.