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CPT 77078: CT Study of Bones for Bone Mass and Density Assessment
CPT code 77078 designates a CT-based bone imaging study used to produce high-resolution 2D and 3D cross-sectional images of skeletal structures for assessing bone mass and density. This imaging code is clinically significant for diagnosing and monitoring bone disorders such as osteoporosis, osteomalacia, and renal osteodystrophy, and supports treatment monitoring and disease progression assessment. Nationally, CT bone studies underpin diagnostic workflows where bone morphology or density measurement is required beyond conventional radiography.
Key payers included in the analysis are Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. The publication outlines payer coverage patterns, coding guidance, clinical context, and common billing considerations related to CT bone studies billed with CPT code 77078.
Readers will find a concise explanation of the clinical indications and typical sites of service for this study, an overview of payer inclusion and common billing modifiers, and context for how CT bone imaging fits into diagnostic pathways for bone disease. The summary highlights where 77078 is used in practice and what operational areas—imaging modality, reporting, and site of service—are most relevant for clinicians, coders, and administrators seeking clarity on this code.
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Billing Code Overview
CPT code 77078 describes a computed tomography (CT) study focused on the bones, using computerized axial tomography and related digital axial imaging techniques to produce two‑dimensional and three‑dimensional cross‑sectional images of bony structures. The study evaluates bone mass and density and is used to assess diseases such as osteoporosis, osteomalacia, and renal osteodystrophy, and to monitor disease progression or response to therapy.
Service type: Diagnostic CT bone density/morphology study performed with CT imaging technology to assess bone structure and density.
Typical site of service: Outpatient imaging center, hospital radiology department, or ambulatory surgical center where CT equipment and radiology staff are available.