Loading...

    Explore
    • Policy Monitoring
    • Live Policy Feed
    • Billing Codes
    • NPI Medicare & Medicaid
    • Healthcare Providers
    • Health Insurance Payers
    • States
    • Service Lines
    • Taxonomy Codes
    Lookup tools
    • Billing Code Lookup
    • CPT Modifier Lookup
    • Provider Taxonomy Code Lookup
    • Healthcare Provider & Facility Lookup
    • Health Insurance Payer Lookup
    • Payer Contact Directory

    Policy & Benchmark Tools

    • Prior Authorization Lookup
    • Coverage Criteria Lookup
    • Timely Filing Lookup
    • Billing Code Reimbursement Rates
    • Payer Comparison Dashboard
    • Facility Comparison Dashboard
    • All tools

    Company

    • About OpenPayer
    • Data Sources
    • Trek Health
    OpenPayerby Trek Health
    LinkedInYouTube

    © 2026 Trek Health. All rights reserved.

    OpenPayer is built and maintained by Trek Health.

    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesDiagnostic Nuclear Medicine Procedures on the Endocrine SystemCPT cpt-78071-spect-parathyroid-imaging-dual-tracer
    Ask Trek AI about this page

    CPT 78071: SPECT Parathyroid Imaging with Planar/Subtraction Study

    Medicare pays $215 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 78071 describes a nuclear medicine service: a SPECT study of the parathyroid glands with additional sets of planar images obtained after administration of small amounts of two different radiopharmaceuticals, often including a subtraction study; service type: diagnostic nuclear medicine imaging (SPECT with subtraction); typical site of service: hospital outpatient imaging center or nuclear medicine department.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Diabetic Supplies, Radiofrequency Ablation for Thyroid Nodules, Continuous Glucose Monitoring and Insulin Delivery for Managing Diabetes (for Idaho Only).

    Customize your policy alerts

    Sign up for cpt 78071 policy alerts

    Get alerted when payer policies referencing 78071 are released or updated.

    Monitor payer policy activity

    Receive email alerts as soon as relevant payer policies are published or updated.

    Table of contents

    Progress1 / 7

    Explore openpayer tools

    • Billing CodesCPT, HCPCS, DRG & more
    • Reimbursement RatesCommercial vs. Medicare rate reports
    • Facility ComparisonBeds, revenue & payer mix
    • ProvidersHospitals & facilities
    • PayersPlans & market footprint
    • Taxonomy CodesNUCC specialty codes
    • ModifiersCPT modifiers & usage
    • Prior AuthorizationPA policies by payer & drug
    • Timely FilingFiling deadlines by payer
    • Coverage CriteriaMedical necessity by payer
    • Payer ContactsClaims, PA & appeals contacts
    View all tools

    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A typical patient is a 45–70-year-old adult referred by an endocrinologist for localization of suspected hyperfunctioning parathyroid tissue after biochemical evidence of primary hyperparathyroidism (elevated serum calcium and parathyroid hormone). The patient arrives at an outpatient nuclear medicine or hospital radiology department. The nuclear medicine practitioner explains the SPECT parathyroid imaging procedure, reviews contraindications (pregnancy, recent iodine-based contrast in some protocols), and obtains informed consent. The technologist administers two small, sequential radiopharmaceuticals (commonly sestamibi and a second agent) and acquires planar images followed by SPECT/CT tomographic images. In cases requiring subtraction, images from the two tracers are digitally compared or subtracted to enhance detection of adenomas or hyperplastic glands. Images are processed, reviewed by the nuclear medicine physician, and a report is generated describing focal radiotracer uptake, laterality, size estimates, and correlation with prior ultrasound or CT if available. The findings guide surgical planning for parathyroidectomy or further observation, and the procedure is typically billed by the imaging facility and interpreting physician using 78071 with appropriate modifiers for professional/technical components or circumstances of service.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    78071SPECT parathyroid imaging with dual tracers and subtraction as neededPrimary code for the described study; includes planar and tomographic imaging with comparison/subtraction.
    78800Radiopharmaceutical localization of tumor; planar, single area, single acquisitionOlder or alternative localization techniques; may be used for planar-only studies without SPECT.
    78803Radiopharmaceutical localization of tumor; SPECT/CTSPECT/CT acquisition that may be performed concurrently to provide anatomic localization complementary to 78071.
    78830Therapeutic radiopharmaceutical procedures, by reportNot a direct companion for parathyroid imaging but listed as related radiopharmaceutical service in some workflows.
    76536Ultrasound, thyroid/neck limited or focusedNeck ultrasound is commonly performed before or after 78071 for anatomic correlation of suspected parathyroid adenoma.

    Related Modifiers

    10 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    26Modifier 26 (Professional Component) identifies and bills only the professional portion of a split service — the physician’s interpretation, report, and medical judgment — when the technical…- Use CPT Modifier -26 when you are billing only the professional component (PC) of a split‑bill eligible service—i.e., you performed the physician interpretation, medical judgment and prepared a…
    59Modifier 59 indicates a distinct procedural service when two procedures that are not normally billed together are clinically and procedurally separate. The CPT definition (as reiterated by CMS)…- Use modifier -59 to report a distinct procedural service when documentation supports that the procedure reported is not normally billed together with another service on the same day because of a…
    52Modifier ‑52 (Reduced Services) indicates that a service or procedure was partially reduced or omitted at the provider’s discretion, allowing reporting of the basic procedure number with a qualifier…- Use modifier -52 when a physician or qualified health professional electively reduces or omits part of a procedure or service (for example, performing fewer required views or omitting a portion of…
    53Modifier 53 (Discontinued Procedure) signals that a surgical or diagnostic service was begun by the physician but terminated because of extenuating circumstances that threatened the patient’s…- Use modifier -53 when a physician/qualified healthcare professional has started a surgical or diagnostic procedure (e.g., anesthesia administered, incision or scope insertion) and then discontinues…
    76Modifier -76, Repeat Procedure or Service by Same Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional, is appended when the same provider performs an identical, medically necessary procedure or…- Use modifier -76 when the same physician or other qualified health care professional performs an identical procedure or service a second (or subsequent) time on the same date of service and the…
    77Modifier 77 indicates that a previously performed procedure or service was legitimately repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional. The AMA’s CPT definition…- Use modifier 77 when a basic procedure or service already performed is repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional (for example, a second provider independently…
    22Modifier –22 (Increased Procedural Services) is used when a reported procedure is substantially more extensive than normally required. The CPT Manual and CMS state it may be appended only when the…- When to use: Append modifier -22 to a procedural CPT code when the service performed is substantially more extensive than the usual service described by that code — i.e., the procedure required…
    50Modifier –50 (Bilateral Procedure) is appended to a CPT code when an identical procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures during the same operative session. The AMA states to add…- Use modifier -50 when the same CPT surgical, diagnostic, or radiology procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures (both sides of the body) during the same operative/session by the same…
    62Modifier 62 indicates that two surgeons function as co‑surgeons, each performing distinct parts of the same primary surgical procedure. It is appended to the primary procedure code (and any…- Use modifier -62 when two surgeons act as co‑surgeons (both primary surgeons) on a single definitive primary procedure, each performing distinct parts of the same surgical procedure (append -62 to…
    80CPT® Modifier 80 (Assistant Surgeon) is appended to a surgical CPT code when a physician (MD or DO) provides full, continuous assistance throughout the operative procedure. It is intended only for…- Use CPT Modifier -80 when a physician (MD or DO) serves as an assistant surgeon and provides full, continuous assistance throughout the entire operative procedure; append -80 to the surgical CPT…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207K00000X
    208000000X
    207P00000X
    1223S0112X
    163W00000X
    225XP0019X
    163WI0600X
    111NR0200X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    23 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    C75.0Malignant neoplasm of parathyroid gland
    D44.3Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of pituitary gland
    E15Nondiabetic hypoglycemic coma
    E16.2Hypoglycemia, unspecified
    E21.0Primary hyperparathyroidism
    E21.1Secondary hyperparathyroidism, not elsewhere classified
    E21.3Hyperparathyroidism, unspecified
    E66.9Obesity, unspecified
    E83.51Hypocalcemia
    E83.52Hypercalcemia

    Showing 1–10 of 23

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Endocrinology1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Diabetic SuppliesCigna2026-10-15
    Radiofrequency Ablation for Thyroid NodulesCigna2026-10-15
    Continuous Glucose Monitoring and Insulin Delivery for Managing Diabetes (for Idaho Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Tzield (teplizumab-mzwv) CoverageUnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Continuous Glucose Monitoring and Insulin Delivery for Managing Diabetes (for Indiana Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Medical Necessity Guidelines Insulin PumpsMass General Brigham Health Plan2026-10-01
    Medical Necessity Guidelines: Continuous Glucose MonitorsMass General Brigham Health Plan2026-10-01
    Continuous Glucose MonitoringAmbetter Nevada2026-10-01
    Salivary Hormone TestingOscar Health2026-10-01
    Bone Turnover Markers TestingOscar Health2026-10-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-78012-THYROID-RADIOIODINE-UPTAKE-STUDY

    CPT 78012: Radioiodine Thyroid Uptake, 4–24 Hour

    CPT-78013-THYROID-RADIOIODINE-IMAGING-UPTAKE

    CPT 78013: Thyroid Scintigraphy with Radioiodine Imaging

    CPT-78014-THYROID-RADIOIODINE-UPTAKE-IMAGING

    CPT 78014: Thyroid Radioiodine Uptake and Imaging

    CPT-78015-THYROID-SCAN-NUCLEAR-MEDICINE

    CPT 78015: Thyroid Scan, Nuclear Medicine

    CPT-78016-THYROID-SCAN-NUCLEAR-MEDICINE-IMAGING

    CPT 78016: Thyroid Scan, Nuclear Medicine

    CPT-78018-THYROID-SCAN-NUCLEAR-MEDICINE-IMAGING

    CPT 78018: Thyroid Scan, Radionuclide Imaging

    CPT-78020-THYROID-SCAN-NUCLEAR-MEDICINE

    CPT 78020: Thyroid Scan, Nuclear Medicine

    CPT-78070-PARATHYROID-DUAL-TRACER-IMAGING-SUBTRACTION-STUDY

    CPT 78070: Parathyroid Imaging with Dual Tracer/Subtraction

    CPT-78072-PARATHYROID-NUCLEAR-MEDICINE-SPECT-CT-LOCALIZATION

    CPT 78072: Parathyroid Nuclear Medicine Imaging with SPECT/CT

    CPT-78075-FUNCTIONAL-ADRENAL-NUCLEAR-IMAGING

    CPT 78075: Functional Adrenal Imaging with Radiotracer

    Showing 1–10 of 11

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
    Published by

    Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

    Trek Health ingests and normalizes Transparency in Coverage data and payer policy updates to give provider organizations a clear view of how commercial reimbursement behaves across markets, payers, and services. Our platform transforms raw payer disclosures into structured intelligence that supports contract evaluation, payer negotiations, and service line strategy. By combining market benchmarks with ongoing policy visibility, Trek helps teams identify variability, risk, and opportunity in commercial reimbursement. The result is faster insight, stronger negotiating positions, and more informed financial decisions.