Summary & Overview
CPT 78230: Salivary Gland Nuclear Imaging, Post-Injection
CPT code 78230 denotes nuclear medicine imaging of the salivary glands following intravenous injection of a radiopharmaceutical. This procedure evaluates salivary gland function and tracer kinetics and is used in diagnostic workups for suspected salivary dysfunction, obstruction, or inflammatory conditions. Nationally, the code is relevant for clinicians, radiology departments, and payers because it informs coverage, utilization patterns, and clinical pathways for head and neck imaging.
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 indications and typical sites of service, plus benchmarks and policy context where available. The publication outlines common billing practices and payer coverage considerations for nuclear salivary gland imaging, highlights relevant coding relationships, and summarizes any notable policy updates or coverage nuances affecting reimbursement and utilization.
This summary is intended to orient clinicians, coding professionals, and policy analysts to the clinical purpose of 78230, the settings in which it is commonly performed, and the payer landscape that shapes access and billing for the procedure.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 78230 describes imaging of the salivary glands after intravenous administration of a radiopharmaceutical or tracer. This service captures functional and anatomical information about salivary gland uptake and excretion of the radiotracer.
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Service type: Nuclear medicine imaging study of the salivary glands
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Typical site of service: Hospital outpatient radiology/nuclear medicine department or freestanding imaging center
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Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient is a 52-year-old presenting to nuclear medicine with persistent unilateral facial swelling and pain localized to the preauricular and submandibular areas, reduced salivary flow, and a history of recurrent sialadenitis. The referring otolaryngologist orders a salivary gland scintigraphy to evaluate gland function and drainage. After IV access is established, the nuclear medicine technologist injects a radiopharmaceutical (commonly Tc-99m pertechnetate) and acquires dynamic and delayed planar images of the parotid and submandibular glands. The study documents uptake, excretory function, and asymmetric or absent function; results are reviewed by the interpreting nuclear medicine physician who issues a report and communicates findings to the referring provider for management decisions (conservative therapy, sialendoscopy referral, or further imaging). Typical site of service is an outpatient hospital-based nuclear medicine or freestanding imaging center. The service type is diagnostic nuclear medicine imaging of the salivary glands using an intravenous radiotracer (78230).
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
26 | Professional component | Use when billing only the interpreting physician component separate from technical services |