Summary & Overview
CPT 78075: Functional Adrenal Nuclear Imaging
CPT code 78075 denotes a nuclear medicine functional adrenal imaging study that evaluates and identifies abnormal adrenal function using an intravenous radiolabeled cholesterol or radioactive tracer with delayed imaging performed three to seven days after injection. The test is clinically important for diagnosing adrenal disorders such as hormonally active adenomas or hyperplasia and can influence surgical and medical management decisions across the country. Nationally, this imaging modality is a specialized diagnostic tool utilized by endocrinologists, nuclear medicine physicians, and radiology practices.
Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find benchmarking context for utilization and payment where available, an overview of clinical indications and procedural logistics, and a summary of common modifiers and administrative considerations used with this code. The publication also outlines typical sites of service and service components (tracer injection, patient preparation, delayed imaging, and medication coordination).
This summary provides clinicians, coding professionals, and payers with an at-a-glance understanding of the procedure represented by CPT code 78075, its clinical role, and the administrative elements relevant to billing and scheduling. Data not available in the input is identified explicitly where applicable in the full publication.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 78075 describes a functional adrenal imaging study performed to evaluate and identify abnormal adrenal function. The procedure involves administration of an intravenous radiolabeled cholesterol or radioactive tracer, with the patient scheduled to return for imaging within three to seven days depending on the clinical indication. The provider also prescribes medications for the patient to take at specified doses and times prior to the return imaging visit.
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Service type: Nuclear medicine functional adrenal imaging study involving radiolabeled tracer administration and delayed imaging
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Typical site of service: Outpatient imaging center or hospital-based nuclear medicine department
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient is a 45–65-year-old adult referred by endocrinology for evaluation of possible primary hyperaldosteronism or ACTH-independent Cushing syndrome after biochemical testing (e.g., elevated plasma aldosterone-to-renin ratio or abnormal dexamethasone suppression testing). The provider administers an intravenous radiolabeled cholesterol or other adrenal-specific radioactive tracer and provides the patient with written instructions and any prescribed oral medications (such as dexamethasone, potassium supplementation, or antihypertensive adjustments) to take prior to scheduled imaging. The patient returns 3–7 days later for single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) or planar scintigraphic imaging of the adrenal glands to localize functional adrenal tissue or hormone-producing nodules. Typical workflow: outpatient nuclear medicine consult and injection visit, patient education and medication scheduling, interval medication administration at home as instructed, and delayed imaging appointment at the nuclear medicine or radiology department. Typical site of service is an outpatient hospital radiology/nuclear medicine department or an independent imaging center with nuclear medicine capability. Common clinical reasons include lateralization of aldosterone secretion, characterization of adrenal incidentalomas with suspected hormonal activity, and localization of adrenal cortical carcinoma or adenoma prior to surgical planning.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
11 | Departmental/Professional component — global use |