Question:
CMS recently approved coverage of PET scans of the brain to assess for dementia/Alzheimer’s/amyloid. We do the exams using CT attenuation correction. There has not been any specific guidance issued on which CPT® code to use and there’s debate on whether to use 78608 or 78814 (or possibly something else). Can you recommend which CPT to use when performing the exams? We’re in Massachusetts and have not seen an LCD issued yet.
Answer:
Look to 78608 – The article laying out the coverage decision can be found at https://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/view/article.aspx?articleid=59049