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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesDiagnostic Nuclear Medicine Procedures on the Gastrointestinal SystemCPT cpt-78268-c14-urea-breath-test-scintillation-counting
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    CPT 78268: C-14 Urea Breath Test, Scintillation Counter

    CPT code 78268 describes analysis of patient breath samples using a scintillation counter after administration of a radiolabeled C-14 urea solution to diagnose Helicobacter pylori infection; this is a diagnostic breath test service typically performed in an ambulatory clinic or outpatient diagnostic laboratory and billed as a specific laboratory/diagnostic procedure for interpretation and measurement of radioactive breath samples.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) Coverage Policy, Magnetic Sphincter Augmentation for the Treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), Serum Testing for Hepatic Fibrosis in the Evaluation and Monitoring of Chronic Liver Disease.

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 45-year-old patient with a several-week history of dyspepsia, epigastric discomfort, and intermittent nausea is evaluated in an outpatient gastroenterology clinic. After a clinical assessment and review of prior medications, the clinician determines noninvasive testing for Helicobacter pylori is appropriate. The patient is asked to fast, then ingests a C-14 labeled urea capsule or solution in clinic. Breath samples are collected at prescribed intervals (typically baseline and at 10–30 minutes post ingestion) into capture devices. The samples are transported immediately to the laboratory. A nuclear medicine technologist or trained laboratory technologist analyzes the breath samples using a scintillation counter to detect radioactive C-14 labeled CO2, indicating urease activity from H. pylori. Results are reported to the ordering gastroenterologist for diagnosis and management planning. Typical site of service is an outpatient clinic, gastroenterology office, or hospital outpatient laboratory performing nuclear medicine breath testing.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    83013Helicobacter pylori antigen; stool, enzyme immunoassayAlternative noninvasive diagnostic test for H. pylori infection; may be ordered instead of or in addition to breath testing
    87338Helicobacter pylori antibody; qualitative or semiquantitativeSerologic test for H. pylori exposure; less specific for active infection compared with breath test
    88305Level IV surgical pathology, gross and microscopic examinationMay be billed when endoscopic biopsy specimens are obtained to diagnose H. pylori via histology, often performed when breath test is inconclusive
    83020Urea breath test, non-radioisotopic (C13)Alternative breath test using non-radioactive C-13 isotope; similar clinical purpose to the 78268 C-14 method
    91040Gastroenterology diagnostic breath test (noninvasive)General code sometimes used for breath testing panels; used in certain workflows where multiple breath assays are run

    Related Modifiers

    6 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    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…
    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…
    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…
    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…
    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…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy CodeSpecialtyNotes
    207RC0000XCardiovascular Disease PhysicianAn internist who specializes in diseases of the heart and blood vessels and manages complex cardiac conditions such as heart attacks and life-threaten…
    1835P2201XAmbulatory Care PharmacistA licensed pharmacist who has demonstrated specialized knowledge and skill in the provision of integrated, accessible health care services by pharmaci…
    103TP0814XPsychoanalysis PsychologistA psychologist whose specialty is distinguished from other specialties by its body of knowledge and its intensive treatment approaches. It aims at str…
    246ZG1000XMedical Geneticist (PhD) Specialist/TechnologistTechnologists, Technicians & Other Technical Service Providers · Specialist/Technologist, Other
    163WD1100XPeritoneal Dialysis Registered NurseNursing Service Providers · Registered Nurse
    164W00000XLicensed Practical NurseAn individual with post-high school vocational training and practical experience in the provision of nursing care at a level less than that required f…
    207WX0120XCornea and External Diseases Specialist PhysicianAn ophthalmologist who specializes in diseases of the cornea, sclera, eyelids, conjunctiva, and anterior segment of the eye.
    207SG0203XClinical Molecular Genetics PhysicianA clinical molecular geneticist demonstrates competence in performing and interpreting molecular analyses relevant to the diagnosis and management of …

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Gastroenterology1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) Coverage Policyevicore2026-11-05
    Magnetic Sphincter Augmentation for the Treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)univerahealthcare2026-10-15
    Serum Testing for Hepatic Fibrosis in the Evaluation and Monitoring of Chronic Liver DiseaseOscar Health2026-10-01
    Fecal Analysis in the Diagnosis of Intestinal Dysbiosis and Fecal Microbiota Transplant TestingOscar Health2026-10-01
    Pancreatic Enzyme Testing for Acute PancreatitisOscar Health2026-10-01
    Helicobacter pylori TestingOscar Health2026-10-01
    Celiac Disease TestingOscar Health2026-10-01
    Laboratory Testing for the Diagnosis of Inflammatory Bowel DiseaseOscar Health2026-10-01
    Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Field Stimulation (PENFS)Cigna2026-09-15
    Colorectal Cancer ScreeningBlue Cross Blue Shield - New Mexico2026-09-04

    Related Codes

    CPT-78201-LIVER-SPLEEN-SCAN-DIAGNOSTIC-NUCLEAR-MEDICINE

    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. 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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