As you may remember, major changes including revisions, additions, and deletions were finalized in 2020 for (SPECT/CT) and myocardial PET for nuclear medicine services. Medical coders across the country may still struggle with understanding how and when to report related CPT® codes. Let’s break down some tips for code 78800 to give greater understanding and confidence.
| 10030 | Image-guided fluid collection drainage by catheter (e.g., abscess, hematoma, seroma, lymphocele, cyst), soft tissue (e.g., extremity, abdominal wall, neck), percutaneous |
How is 78800 used?
Planar imaging using a radiotracer is localized to a single area (i.e., abdomen, chest, breast, neck, etc.). An organ-specific planar imaging CPT code takes precedent as a coding choice when one is available.
What tips do I need to know for coding success?
Below is a coding case study that demonstrates 78800.
CLINICAL HISTORY
75-year-old presents with cardiomyopathy.
PROCEDURE
Radiopharmaceutical: 21 mCi technetium 99m pyrophosphate. Anterior, LAO, and left lateral projections of the chest were obtained.
IMPRESSION
There is intense diffuse uptake of activity in the left ventricle, greater intensity than bone. Activity is also seen in the right ventricle, similar intensity to bone.
CONCLUSION
Findings support a diagnosis of ATTR amyloidosis. This is a grade 3 scan.
| CPT/HCPCS Code | Units for this Claim | MAI | MUE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 78800 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| A9538 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
Check out our 2021 Nuclear Medicine Coding, Reimbursement & Compliance Review for further expert insight on (SPECT/CT) and myocardial PET CPT coding and other important topics to master success.
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