Practice Management
Coding Corner
| Planar and SPECT Parathyroid Imaging |
| Revised: April 5, 2007 |
| Question |
| We are doing planar and SPECT imaging of parathyroids. Should we use the parathyroid CPT code and/or the general SPECT tumor code? |
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| Answer |
| The appropriate code for parathyroid imaging depends on the protocol used. If planar technique use CPT 78070 parathyroid imaging. If SPECT alone or with planar use, CPT 78803 Radiopharmaceutical localization of tumor or distribution of radiopharmaceutical agent(s); tomographic. We call your attention to the word distribution which allows this code to be used for broader indications outside of the original more restrictive “tumor imaging” language. To further clarify we would NOT recommend coding both CPT codes; choose the single code that describes the protocol and procedure performed. |
| Disclaimer
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| The opinions referenced are those of the members of the SNM Coding and Reimbursement Committee and their consultants based on their coding experience. They are based on the commonly used codes in Nuclear Medicine, which are not all inclusive. Always check with your local insurance carriers as policies vary by region. The final decision for the coding of a procedure must be made by the physician considering regulations of insurance carriers and any local, state or federal laws that apply to the physicians practice. The SNM and its representatives disclaim any liability arising from the use of these opinions.
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