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    OpenPayerBilling CodesDiagnostic Nuclear Medicine Procedures on the Endocrine SystemCPT cpt-78072-parathyroid-nuclear-medicine-spect-ct-localization
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    CPT 78072: Parathyroid Nuclear Medicine Imaging with SPECT/CT

    Medicare pays $267 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 78072 describes a nuclear medicine parathyroid imaging study in which the provider obtains planar images after administration of two different radiopharmaceuticals, compares those sets often with subtraction techniques, and incorporates SPECT and CT correlation for precise preoperative localization; service type: diagnostic nuclear medicine parathyroid imaging with SPECT/CT; typical site of service: outpatient imaging center or hospital radiology/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).

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 56-year-old patient with biochemical evidence of primary hyperparathyroidism (elevated serum calcium and parathyroid hormone) is referred for preoperative localization prior to parathyroidectomy. The nuclear medicine physician administers small amounts of two radiopharmaceuticals (commonly Tc-99m sestamibi and a second tracer) and acquires sets of planar images, performs SPECT imaging, and fuses those images with CT for precise anatomic localization. A subtraction study may be performed when dual-tracer imaging is required to differentiate thyroid from parathyroid uptake. The workflow includes patient check-in and IV placement, tracer administration, timed imaging at multiple phases, SPECT/CT acquisition, optional subtraction image processing, image interpretation by the radiologist/nuclear medicine physician, and generation of a diagnostic report for the surgical team documenting suspected adenoma location(s) and recommended surgical approach.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    78830Bremsstrahlung imaging; limited evaluation for localization (eg, parathyroid)Alternative nuclear medicine code used for planar or limited localization studies in some settings; may be used for portions of the study protocols
    78831Bremsstrahlung imaging; whole bodyNot typically used for focused parathyroid localization; used when more extensive imaging required
    78800Radiopharmaceutical localization of tumor; planar imaging onlyRepresents other radiopharmaceutical localization techniques; may be used in conjunction with or as comparator to parathyroid protocols
    77012CT guidance for biopsy, single lesionCT component (diagnostic CT) used in SPECT/CT fusion may correspond to separate CT billing when diagnostic CT is performed contemporaneously
    96372Therapeutic, prophylactic, or diagnostic injection (specify substance)Not typically billed by imaging facility for tracer administration if included in nuclear medicine technical component; listed for context when injection is separately reportable

    Related Modifiers

    8 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…
    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…
    78CPT modifier -78 indicates an unplanned, related return to the operating or procedure room by the same provider during the global postoperative period. It is appended when treatment for a…- Use modifier -78 when an unplanned, related complication during the original procedure’s global postoperative period requires the patient to return to a formal operating or procedure room and the…
    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…
    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…
    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…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207P00000X
    3336C0002X
    208000000X
    2080P0208X
    224900000X
    332G00000X
    367A00000X
    101YS0200X

    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-78071-SPECT-PARATHYROID-IMAGING-DUAL-TRACER

    CPT 78071: SPECT Parathyroid Imaging with Planar/Subtraction Study

    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.
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