Basics about CPT code 78070 and 78071

There are many CPT codes in Radiology facility. As we have almost learnt most of the CPT codes in radiology and surgery section. If you are clever enough, you can easily self-prepare yourself for certification exams like CPC, through this information. Yes, there are lot of books available for medical coding certification exams, but internet has more information as well. Also, to have a stable career in medical coding, one must have CPC certification from AAPC. Since the time has ICD 10 have been introduced, coders are now more concentrating on ICD 10 codes. To avoid common mistakes in ICD 10 codes, it is better to follow ICD 10 coding guidelines every time. Now, let us come back to CPT codes, today we will learn about parathyroid imaging CPT code.

Parathyroid planar imaging is obtained following intravenous administration of the radiopharmaceutical TC-99 sestamibi. Initial planar images are obtained shortly after administration of the radiopharmaceutical to evaluate any increased radiotracer uptake in the parathyroid tissue as compared to the thyroid tissue. Additional images are obtained approximately 2 hours later to evaluate for any retained radiotracer in the parathyroids. If subtraction studies are performed, a second radiopharmaceutical taken up only by the thyroid gland (I-123 or TC-99 pertechnetate) is administered.

Subtraction images of the parathyroid glands are then obtained. Multiple imaging modalities are often used to diagnose parathyroid disease. Recent advances in parathyroid planar imaging has combined 99mTc-sestamibi with single photo emission computed tomography (SPECT) and concurrently acquired CT to improve sensitivity by combining anatomic and functional information. CPTcode 78070 is reported for parathyroid planar imaging alone. CPT code 78071 is reported when planar imaging is combined with tomographic (SPECT) studies. CPT code 78072 is repoted  when planar imaging, tomographic (SPECT) studies and concurrent CT images for anatomical localization are performed.

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Description of CPT code 78070, 78071 & 78072 (Parathyroid scan or imaging)

Parathyroid scan or planar imaging is performed to diagnose or localize the parathyroid adenomas and hyperplastic glands. Thallium-20 is injected, which is taken up by thyroid gland, in supine position to the patient. 60 second images are taken five to 20 minutes following the injection, using a camera centered over the neck. 99m-technetium is also injected and thyroid images are taken for 5 to 10 minutes after injection. To further localize the abnormal parathyroid tissue, SPECT (single photon emission computed tomography) with or without concurrent CT imaging may be performed. SPECT provides 3D dimensional imaging using gamma radiation and multiple images of the parathyroid region. The computerized tomography CT imaging performed in more precise localization. Below are the CPT code for parathyroid imaging used in radiology facility in medical coding.

78070  Parathyroid planar imaging (including subtraction, when performed);

78071   with tomographic (SPECT)

78072  with tomographic (SPECT), and concurrently acquired computed tomography (CT) for anatomical localization

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HCPCS Codes linked to  CPT code 78070, 78071 & 78072

A4641 Radiopharmaceutical, diagnostic, not otherwise classified
A4642 Indium In-111 satumomab pendetide, diagnostic, per study dose, up to 6 millicuries
A9500 Technetium Tc-99m sestamibi, diagnostic, per study dose
A9502 Technetium Tc-99m tetrofosmin, diagnostic, per study dose
A9503 Technetium Tc-99m medronate, diagnostic, per study dose, up to 30 millicuries
A9505 Thallium Tl-201 thallous chloride, diagnostic, per millicurie
A9507 Indium In-111 capromab pendetide, diagnostic, per study dose, up to 10 millicuries
A9508 Iodine I-131 iobenguane sulfate, diagnostic, per 0.5 millicurie
A9509 Iodine I-123 sodium iodide, diagnostic, per millicurie
A9510 Technetium Tc-99m disofenin, diagnostic, per study dose, up to 15 millicuries
A9512 Technetium Tc-99m pertechnetate, diagnostic, per millicurie
A9515 Choline C-11, diagnostic, per study dose up to 20 millicuries
A9516 Iodine I-123 sodium iodide, diagnostic, per 100 microcuries, up to 999 microcuries
A9517 Iodine I-131 sodium iodide capsule(s), therapeutic, per millicurie
A9520 Technetium Tc-99m tilmanocept, diagnostic, up to 0.5 millicuries
A9521 Technetium Tc-99m exametazime, diagnostic, per study dose, up to 25 millicuries
A9524 Iodine I-131 iodinated serum albumin, diagnostic, per 5 microcuries
A9526 Nitrogen N-13 ammonia, diagnostic, per study dose, up to 40 millicuries
A9527 Iodine I-125, sodium iodide solution, therapeutic, per millicurie
A9528 Iodine I-131 sodium iodide capsule(s), diagnostic, per millicurie
A9529 Iodine I-131 sodium iodide solution, diagnostic, per millicurie
A9530 Iodine I-131 sodium iodide solution, therapeutic, per millicurie
A9531 Iodine I-131 sodium iodide, diagnostic, per microcurie (up to 100 microcuries)
A9532 Iodine I-125 serum albumin, diagnostic, per 5 microcuries
A9537 Technetium Tc-99m mebrofenin, diagnostic, per study dose, up to 15 millicuries
A9538 Technetium Tc-99m pyrophosphate, diagnostic, per study dose, up to 25 millicuries
A9539 Technetium Tc-99m pentetate, diagnostic, per study dose, up to 25 millicuries
A9540 Technetium Tc-99m macroaggregated albumin, diagnostic, per study dose, up to 10 millicuries
A9541 Technetium Tc-99m sulfur colloid, diagnostic, per study dose, up to 20 millicuries
A9542 Indium In-111 ibritumomab tiuxetan, diagnostic, per study dose, up to 5 millicuries
A9543 Yttrium Y-90 ibritumomab tiuxetan, therapeutic, per treatment dose, up to 40 millicuries
A9547 Indium In-111 oxyquinoline, diagnostic, per 0.5 millicurie
A9548 Indium In-111 pentetate, diagnostic, per 0.5 millicurie
A9551 Technetium Tc-99m succimer, diagnostic, per study dose, up to 10 millicuries
A9552 Fluorodeoxyglucose F-18 FDG, diagnostic, per study dose, up to 45 millicuries
A9553 Chromium CR-51 sodium chromate, diagnostic, per study dose, up to 250 microcuries
A9554 Iodine I-125 sodium iothalamate, diagnostic, per study dose, up to 10 microcuries
A9555 Rubidium Rb-82, diagnostic, per study dose, up to 60 millicuries
A9556 Gallium Ga-67 citrate, diagnostic, per millicurie
A9557 Technetium Tc-99m bicisate, diagnostic, per study dose, up to 25 millicuries
A9558 Xenon Xe-133 gas, diagnostic, per 10 millicuries
A9560 Technetium Tc-99m labeled red blood cells, diagnostic, per study dose, up to 30 millicuries
A9561 Technetium Tc-99m oxidronate, diagnostic, per study dose, up to 30 millicuries
A9562 Technetium Tc-99m mertiatide, diagnostic, per study dose, up to 15 millicuries
A9563 Sodium phosphate P-32, therapeutic, per millicurie
A9564 Chromic phosphate P-32 suspension, therapeutic, per millicurie
A9567 Technetium Tc-99m pentetate, diagnostic, aerosol, per study dose, up to 75 millicuries
A9568 Technetium Tc-99m arcitumomab, diagnostic, per study dose, up to 45 millicuries
A9569 Technetium Tc-99m exametazime labeled autologous white blood cells, diagnostic, per study dose
A9570 Indium In-111 labeled autologous white blood cells, diagnostic, per study dose
A9571 Indium In-111 labeled autologous platelets, diagnostic, per study dose
A9572 Indium In-111 pentetreotide, diagnostic, per study dose, up to 6 millicuries
A9580 Sodium fluoride F-18, diagnostic, per study dose, up to 30 millicuries
A9582 Iodine I-123 iobenguane, diagnostic, per study dose, up to 15 millicuries
A9584 Iodine I-123 ioflupane, diagnostic, per study dose, up to 5 millicuries
A9586 Florbetapir F-18, diagnostic, per study dose, up to 10 millicuries
A9587 Gallium Ga-68, dotatate, diagnostic, 0.1 millicurie
A9588 Fluciclovine F-18, diagnostic, 1 millicurie
A9597 Positron emission tomography radiopharmaceutical, diagnostic, for tumor identification, not otherwise classified
A9598 Positron emission tomography radiopharmaceutical, diagnostic, for non-tumor identification, not otherwise classified
A9600 Strontium SR-89 chloride, therapeutic, per millicurie
A9604 Samarium SM-153 lexidronam, therapeutic, per treatment dose, up to 150 millicuries
C9898 Radiolabeled product provided during a hospital inpatient stay
G0106 Colorectal cancer screening; alternative to G0104, screening sigmoidoscopy, barium enema
G0130 Single energy X-ray absorptiometry (SEXA) bone density study, one or more sites; appendicular skeleton (peripheral) (e.g., radius, wrist, heel)
G0248 Demonstration, prior to initiation of home INR monitoring, for patient with either mechanical heart valve(s), chronic atrial fibrillation, or venous thromboembolism who meets Medicare coverage criteria, under the direction of a physician; includes: face-to-face demonstration of use and care of the INR monitor, obtaining at least one blood sample, provision of instructions for reporting home INR test results, and documentation of patient’s ability to perform testing and report results
G0249 Provision of test materials and equipment for home INR monitoring of patient with either mechanical heart valve(s), chronic atrial fibrillation, or venous thromboembolism who meets Medicare coverage criteria; includes: provision of materials for use in the home and reporting of test results to physician; testing not occurring more frequently than once a week; testing materials, billing units of service include 4 tests
G0279 Diagnostic digital breast tomosynthesis, unilateral or bilateral (list separately in addition to 77065 or 77066)
G0398 Home sleep study test (HST) with type II portable monitor, unattended; minimum of 7 channels: EEG, EOG, EMG, ECG/heart rate, airflow, respiratory effort and oxygen saturation
G0399 Home sleep test (HST) with type III portable monitor, unattended; minimum of 4 channels: 2 respiratory movement/airflow, 1 ECG/heart rate and 1 oxygen saturation
G0400 Home sleep test (HST) with type IV portable monitor, unattended; minimum of 3 channels
G2066 Interrogation device evaluation(s), (remote) up to 30 days; implantable cardiovascular physiologic monitor system, implantable loop recorder system, or subcutaneous cardiac rhythm monitor system, remote data acquisition(s), receipt of transmissions and technician review, technical support and distribution of results
Q0035 Cardiokymography
Q9982 Flutemetamol F-18, diagnostic, per study dose, up to 5 millicuries
Q9983 Florbetaben F-18, diagnostic, per study dose, up to 8.1 millicuries

Hope, this will increase your knowledge about CPT code 78070, 78071 and 78072. We have learnt about coding modifiers like 58 and 78, PI and PS for PET, but these procedures are very straight forward. If you know the procedure performed, you can easily code a CPT code for that procedure in medical coding. Do share this article if you liked it and share your thoughts in comment section below.