CPT 78264: Gastric Emptying Study, Nuclear Medicine

Medicare pays $202 and commercial payers pay $458 on average nationally for this procedure.

CPT code 78264 describes a gastric emptying study in nuclear medicine where the provider images the stomach after the patient ingests a liquid, solid, or semisolid meal labeled with a radiopharmaceutical or tracer and obtains immediate and serial images to assess the rate of gastric emptying; service type: diagnostic nuclear medicine functional study; typical site of service: outpatient radiology or nuclear medicine department (including hospital-based imaging centers).

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National Reimbursement Benchmarks

Commercial averages sit meaningfully above Medicare for CPT 78264: Blue Cross Blue Shield (mean $606.80), UnitedHealth Group (mean $306.00), Cigna (mean $289.60), Aetna (mean $183.90) and BUCA (mean $458.10) contrast with Medicare’s mean of $202.00. Notably BUCA’s mean ($458.10) is roughly $256.10 higher than Medicare’s mean ($202.00), highlighting a substantial commercial/Medicare gap for this code.

Dispersion varies by payer when measured as the interquartile range (P75−P25). Blue Cross Blue Shield shows the widest IQR at $354.60 (P75 $748.00 minus P25 $419.40), followed by UnitedHealth Group at $331.60 (P75 $419.90 − P25 $87.30) and Cigna at $354.80 (P75 $432.10 − P25 $73.30). Aetna’s IQR is narrower at $229.30, and BUCA’s IQR is $293.20, making Aetna the tightest and Blue Cross Blue Shield the widest in central spread.

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CPT 78264: Gastric Emptying Study, Nuclear Medicine

Medicare pays $202 and commercial payers pay $458 on average nationally for this procedure.

Customize your policy alerts

Sign up for cpt 78264 policy alerts

Get alerted when payer policies referencing 78264 are released or updated.

Monitor payer policy activity

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

National Reimbursement Benchmarks

National Payer Mean Reimbursement Rates

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A 45-year-old patient presents with several months of postprandial bloating, early satiety, intermittent nausea, and right upper quadrant discomfort. Prior ultrasound and laboratory evaluation have been inconclusive for acute cholecystitis but suggest possible biliary dysmotility or functional gastric emptying disorder. The clinician orders a gastric emptying study with radiolabeled test meal to quantify gastric emptying rate and evaluate for gastroparesis.

The clinical workflow: the patient fasts overnight and arrives at the nuclear medicine department. A standardized liquid, solid, or semisolid meal labeled with a radiopharmaceutical is administered. Immediate imaging begins and serial images are acquired over a defined period (commonly 1, 2, and 4 hours for solids) to measure retention percentage at each time point. A nuclear medicine technologist performs image acquisition under the supervision of a nuclear radiologist or gastroenterology physician; images are processed and quantified, and a final interpretive report is issued documenting gastric emptying half-time or percentage retention consistent with normal, delayed, or rapid gastric emptying. Results are used by the referring provider (for example, a hepatology or gastroenterology physician) to guide further management.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`78223`	Hepatobiliary system imaging, including gallbladder when present	Alternative nuclear medicine hepatobiliary study used when primary concern is gallbladder function rather than gastric emptying; may be ordered for biliary pathology evaluation.
`78227`	Hepatobiliary system imaging with pharmacologic intervention	Used when a pharmacologic agent (e.g., cholecystokinin analog) is administered to evaluate biliary ejection fraction; complements gastric emptying when both biliary and gastric symptoms exist.
`78278`	Liver imaging with vascular flow	Used for focused liver perfusion and vascular assessment; may be part of a broader hepatobiliary workup in patients with liver-related symptoms.
`78282`	Liver imaging with vascular flow and function	Functional liver imaging that can be ordered alongside hepatobiliary studies in complex hepatobiliary evaluations.

Related Modifiers

8 rows

Modifier	Description	When to Use
26	Modifier 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…
59	Modifier 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…
76	Modifier -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…
77	Modifier 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…
52	Modifier ‑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…
53	Modifier 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…
78	CPT 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…
80	CPT® 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	Specialty	Notes
2085R0202X	Diagnostic Radiology Physician	A radiologist who utilizes x-ray, radionuclides, ultrasound and electromagnetic radiation to diagnose and treat disease.
207RI0008X	Hepatology Physician	The discipline of Hepatology encompasses the structure, function, and diseases of the liver and biliary tract. The American Board of Internal Medicine…
207RG0100X	Gastroenterology Physician	An internist who specializes in diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the digestive organs including the stomach, bowels, liver and gallbladder. This…
251B00000X	Case Management Agency	An organization that is responsible for providing case management services. The agency provides services which assist an individual in gaining access…
225XH1200X	Hand Occupational Therapist	Respiratory, Developmental, Rehabilitative and Restorative Service Providers · Occupational Therapist
177F00000X	Lodging Provider	A public or privately owned facility providing overnight lodging to individuals traveling long distances or receiving prolonged outpatient medical ser…
164W00000X	Licensed Practical Nurse	An individual with post-high school vocational training and practical experience in the provision of nursing care at a level less than that required f…
246R00000X	Pathology Technician	An individual with knowledge of specific techniques and instruments who performs all of the routine tests in a medical laboratory and who has the abil…

Related ICD-10-CM Codes

5 rows

ICD-10-CM Code	Description
R93.2	Abnormal findings on diagnostic imaging of liver and biliary tract
K82.9	Disease of gallbladder, unspecified
R10.11	Right upper quadrant pain
K80.20	Calculus of gallbladder without cholecystitis without obstruction
K81.9	Cholecystitis, unspecified

CPT 78201: Liver and Spleen Scan

CPT-78202-LIVER-SPLEEN-SCAN-NUCLEAR-MEDICINE

CPT 78202: Liver and Spleen Scan

CPT-78215-LIVER-SPLEEN-SCAN-NUCLEAR-MEDICINE

CPT 78215: Liver and Spleen Scan, Diagnostic Nuclear Medicine

CPT-78216-LIVER-SPLEEN-SCAN-DIAGNOSTIC-IMAGING

CPT 78216: Liver and Spleen Scan

CPT-78226-HEPATOBILIARY-SCINTIGRAPHY-HEPATOBILIARY-IMAGING

CPT 78226: Hepatobiliary Scintigraphy (Hepatobiliary Imaging)

CPT-78227-HEPATOBILIARY-SCINTIGRAPHY-LIVER-BILE-GALLBLADDER-IMAGING

CPT 78227: Hepatobiliary (Cholescintigraphy) Scan

CPT-78230-SALIVARY-GLAND-NUCLEAR-IMAGING

CPT 78230: Salivary Gland Imaging with Radiotracer

CPT-78231-SALIVARY-GLAND-NUCLEAR-IMAGING-SERIAL-IMAGES

CPT 78231: Salivary Gland Scintigraphy, Serial Imaging

CPT-78232-SALIVARY-GLAND-SCINTIGRAPHY-PAROTID-FUNCTION

CPT 78232: Salivary Gland Scintigraphy (Parotid Gland Scan)

CPT-78258-ESOPHAGEAL-TRANSIT-SCINTIGRAPHY-ESOPHAGEAL-MOTILITY-STUDY

CPT 78258: Esophageal Transit Scintigraphy

Showing 1–10 of 21

Frequently Asked Questions

References

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.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.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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Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`78223`	Hepatobiliary system imaging, including gallbladder when present	Alternative nuclear medicine hepatobiliary study used when primary concern is gallbladder function rather than gastric emptying; may be ordered for biliary pathology evaluation.
`78227`	Hepatobiliary system imaging with pharmacologic intervention	Used when a pharmacologic agent (e.g., cholecystokinin analog) is administered to evaluate biliary ejection fraction; complements gastric emptying when both biliary and gastric symptoms exist.
`78278`	Liver imaging with vascular flow	Used for focused liver perfusion and vascular assessment; may be part of a broader hepatobiliary workup in patients with liver-related symptoms.
`78282`	Liver imaging with vascular flow and function	Functional liver imaging that can be ordered alongside hepatobiliary studies in complex hepatobiliary evaluations.

Related Modifiers

8 rows

Modifier	Description	When to Use
26	Modifier 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…
59	Modifier 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…
76	Modifier -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…
77	Modifier 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…
52	Modifier ‑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…
53	Modifier 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…
78	CPT 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…
80	CPT® 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	Specialty	Notes
2085R0202X	Diagnostic Radiology Physician	A radiologist who utilizes x-ray, radionuclides, ultrasound and electromagnetic radiation to diagnose and treat disease.
207RI0008X	Hepatology Physician	The discipline of Hepatology encompasses the structure, function, and diseases of the liver and biliary tract. The American Board of Internal Medicine…
207RG0100X	Gastroenterology Physician	An internist who specializes in diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the digestive organs including the stomach, bowels, liver and gallbladder. This…
251B00000X	Case Management Agency	An organization that is responsible for providing case management services. The agency provides services which assist an individual in gaining access…
225XH1200X	Hand Occupational Therapist	Respiratory, Developmental, Rehabilitative and Restorative Service Providers · Occupational Therapist
177F00000X	Lodging Provider	A public or privately owned facility providing overnight lodging to individuals traveling long distances or receiving prolonged outpatient medical ser…
164W00000X	Licensed Practical Nurse	An individual with post-high school vocational training and practical experience in the provision of nursing care at a level less than that required f…
246R00000X	Pathology Technician	An individual with knowledge of specific techniques and instruments who performs all of the routine tests in a medical laboratory and who has the abil…

Related ICD-10-CM Codes

5 rows

ICD-10-CM Code	Description
R93.2	Abnormal findings on diagnostic imaging of liver and biliary tract
K82.9	Disease of gallbladder, unspecified
R10.11	Right upper quadrant pain
K80.20	Calculus of gallbladder without cholecystitis without obstruction
K81.9	Cholecystitis, unspecified

CPT 78201: Liver and Spleen Scan

CPT-78202-LIVER-SPLEEN-SCAN-NUCLEAR-MEDICINE

CPT 78202: Liver and Spleen Scan

CPT-78215-LIVER-SPLEEN-SCAN-NUCLEAR-MEDICINE

CPT 78215: Liver and Spleen Scan, Diagnostic Nuclear Medicine

CPT-78216-LIVER-SPLEEN-SCAN-DIAGNOSTIC-IMAGING

CPT 78216: Liver and Spleen Scan

CPT-78226-HEPATOBILIARY-SCINTIGRAPHY-HEPATOBILIARY-IMAGING

CPT 78226: Hepatobiliary Scintigraphy (Hepatobiliary Imaging)

CPT-78227-HEPATOBILIARY-SCINTIGRAPHY-LIVER-BILE-GALLBLADDER-IMAGING

CPT 78227: Hepatobiliary (Cholescintigraphy) Scan

CPT-78230-SALIVARY-GLAND-NUCLEAR-IMAGING

CPT 78230: Salivary Gland Imaging with Radiotracer

CPT-78231-SALIVARY-GLAND-NUCLEAR-IMAGING-SERIAL-IMAGES

CPT 78231: Salivary Gland Scintigraphy, Serial Imaging

CPT-78232-SALIVARY-GLAND-SCINTIGRAPHY-PAROTID-FUNCTION

CPT 78232: Salivary Gland Scintigraphy (Parotid Gland Scan)

CPT-78258-ESOPHAGEAL-TRANSIT-SCINTIGRAPHY-ESOPHAGEAL-MOTILITY-STUDY

CPT 78258: Esophageal Transit Scintigraphy

Showing 1–10 of 21

Frequently Asked Questions

References

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

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CPT 78264: Gastric Emptying Study, Nuclear Medicine

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National Reimbursement Benchmarks

OpenPayer

CPT 78264: Gastric Emptying Study, Nuclear Medicine

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National Reimbursement Benchmarks

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related ICD-10-CM Codes

Related Codes

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related ICD-10-CM Codes

Related Codes

References

CPT 78264: Gastric Emptying Study, Nuclear Medicine

Sign up for cpt 78264 policy alerts

National Reimbursement Benchmarks

CPT 78264: Gastric Emptying Study, Nuclear Medicine

Sign up for cpt 78264 policy alerts

National Reimbursement Benchmarks

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related ICD-10-CM Codes

Related Codes

What does CPT 78264 describe and where is it typically performed?

Which billing modifiers are applicable to CPT 78264?

How do reimbursement rates for CPT 78264 compare across payers and Medicare?

What clinical scenarios prompt ordering a gastric emptying study (78264) and how are results used?

Are there related CPT codes to consider alongside 78264 for hepatobiliary concerns?

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related ICD-10-CM Codes

Related Codes

What does CPT 78264 describe and where is it typically performed?

Which billing modifiers are applicable to CPT 78264?

How do reimbursement rates for CPT 78264 compare across payers and Medicare?

What clinical scenarios prompt ordering a gastric emptying study (78264) and how are results used?

Are there related CPT codes to consider alongside 78264 for hepatobiliary concerns?

References