Summary & Overview
CPT 78014: Thyroid Radioiodine Uptake Imaging
CPT code 78014 denotes nuclear medicine imaging of the thyroid following radioiodine administration to quantify thyroid uptake and evaluate radioactive tracer handling. This diagnostic test is used in the assessment of thyroid function, hyperthyroidism evaluation, and to help guide therapeutic decisions. Nationally, it is an established component of thyroid functional workups and impacts utilization patterns in endocrinology, radiology, and nuclear medicine services.
Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of clinical purpose and service setting, payer coverage context, common billing modifiers, and related service line considerations. The publication summarizes typical sites of service and practical coding references relevant to billing teams and revenue cycle staff.
The content provides benchmarks and policy-oriented context where available and flags areas where input data was not provided. It is intended for national audiences including practice managers, coding professionals, and policy analysts who need a clear, single-page reference on CPT code 78014 and its role in thyroid diagnostic imaging.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 78014 describes imaging of the thyroid gland after administration of radioiodine to measure thyroid uptake and evaluate how the thyroid handles the radiotracer. This procedure quantifies the amount of radioiodine that reaches the thyroid and assesses thyroid function dynamics.
Service type: Nuclear medicine diagnostic imaging
Typical site of service: Hospital outpatient radiology/nuclear medicine department or freestanding imaging center
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 52-year-old female presents to a nuclear medicine clinic for evaluation of hyperthyroid symptoms (palpitations, weight loss, heat intolerance). Laboratory testing confirms elevated free T4 and suppressed TSH. The clinician orders a thyroid uptake and scan to quantify radioiodine uptake and assess thyroid morphology after oral administration of radioiodine. The patient receives a measured oral or intravenous tracer dose of radioiodine (typically I-123 or I-131 depending on protocol) and returns to the nuclear medicine department for imaging at the prescribed uptake interval (commonly 4–6 hours and/or 24 hours). The nuclear medicine technologist performs planar and, when indicated, SPECT imaging of the thyroid. The interpreting nuclear medicine physician reviews uptake measurements, calculates percent uptake, evaluates focal versus diffuse uptake patterns, and documents findings to guide management (antithyroid medication, radioiodine therapy planning, or surgery). Typical site of service is an outpatient hospital-based nuclear medicine department, freestanding imaging center, or inpatient nuclear medicine service when ordered during hospitalization.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
26 | Professional component | Use when only the physician interpretation/report of the thyroid uptake/scan is billed separately from the technical component. |