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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesDiagnostic Nuclear Medicine Procedures on the Musculoskeletal SystemCPT cpt-78350-bone-mineral-density-single-photon-absorptiometry
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    CPT 78350: Single-Energy Photon Bone Mineral Density Measurement

    CPT code 78350 describes a single-energy photon beam bone mineral density (BMD) measurement performed to quantify mineral content of bone and evaluate conditions such as osteoporosis; this service is a combined technical and professional diagnostic imaging procedure (radiology service) typically provided in an outpatient imaging center, hospital radiology department, or bone densitometry clinic to obtain areal BMD values for clinical assessment.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Clinical Review Criteria Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring (IONM), Remote Electrical Neuromodulation for Migraines (i.e., Nerivio®), Lumbar Microdiscectomy.

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    Table of contents

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 68-year-old postmenopausal woman presents to the outpatient radiology clinic for evaluation of fracture risk after a recent low-energy wrist fracture. The ordering primary care provider requests assessment of bone mineral density (BMD) to screen for osteoporosis and to guide treatment decisions. The patient checks in at the imaging front desk, completes intake and metal-removal instructions, and is escorted to the DEXA scanning room. A certified radiologic technologist confirms patient identity, reviews contraindications (e.g., recent contrast studies or pregnancy), and performs positioning for a single-energy photon absorptiometry scan targeting the lumbar spine and proximal femur as clinically indicated. The provider documents clinical indication, obtains informed consent as required, and interprets the study. The report includes measured BMD values, T-scores and Z-scores, comparison to prior studies if available, and an impression indicating presence or absence of osteopenia or osteoporosis. Billing is submitted for 78350 representing the combined technical and professional components for a single-energy photon bone density measurement, with the appropriate ICD-10 diagnosis code(s) linked for medical necessity and reimbursement.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    77080Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), bone density study, one or more sites; axial skeleton (eg, hips, pelvis, spine)Common alternative or complementary method to assess BMD; may be performed instead of or in addition to single-energy photon absorptiometry
    77081Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), bone density study, peripheral site (eg, radius, wrist)Peripheral DXA may be used when axial scanning is not possible or to evaluate peripheral BMD
    78499Unlisted nuclear medicine procedureData not available in the input.
    99070Supplies and materials (e.g., DME)May be billed for disposable supplies used during the scan depending on payer policy
    99354Prolonged physician service in the office or outpatient setting (separate service)Data not available in the input.

    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…
    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…
    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…
    77Modifier 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…
    90Modifier ‑90 (Reference/Outside Laboratory) indicates that a laboratory test was performed by an entity other than the treating or reporting provider. The American Medical Association defines…- Use CPT modifier -90 when a laboratory test is performed by an outside/reference laboratory (an entity other than the treating or reporting physician or qualified professional) and the claim needs…
    91Modifier 91 — “Repeat Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory Test” — is appended when the exact same CPT laboratory test is performed more than once for the same patient on the same day because serial,…- Use modifier 91 when the exact same CPT laboratory test is performed more than once on the same patient on the same date because serial or repeated testing is medically necessary to monitor…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    2080P0207X
    208000000X
    363L00000X
    2279C0205X
    204F00000X
    183500000X
    273100000X
    163WA0400X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    28 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    C50.912Malignant neoplasm of unspecified site of left female breast
    C79.51Secondary malignant neoplasm of bone
    E03.9Hypothyroidism, unspecified
    E10.9Type 1 diabetes mellitus without complications
    E11.9Type 2 diabetes mellitus without complications
    E23.0Hypopituitarism
    E55.9Vitamin D deficiency, unspecified
    F32.9Major depressive disorder, single episode, unspecified
    F33.1Major depressive disorder, recurrent, moderate
    M25.50Pain in unspecified joint

    Showing 1–10 of 28

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Neurology/Neurosurgery1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Clinical Review Criteria Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring (IONM)Kaiser Permanente2027-01-01
    Remote Electrical Neuromodulation for Migraines (i.e., Nerivio®)bcbsvermont2026-11-01
    Lumbar Microdiscectomyuniverahealthcare2026-10-15
    Artificial Cervical Intervertebral Discuniverahealthcare2026-10-15
    Lumbar Decompressionuniverahealthcare2026-10-15
    Responsive Neurostimulation for Focal EpilepsyPremera Bluecross2026-10-14
    Intraoperative MonitoringProvidence Health Plan2026-10-01
    Intraoperative MonitoringProvidence Health Plan2026-10-01
    High-Intensity Focused UltrasoundMass General Brigham Health Plan2026-10-01
    Vagal Nerve StimulationAmbetter Nevada2026-10-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-78300-BONE-SCAN-LIMITED-AREA-SCINTIGRAPHY

    CPT 78300: Bone Scan (Limited Area Scintigraphy)

    CPT-78305-BONE-SCAN-SCINTIGRAPHY-MULTI-REGION

    CPT 78305: Bone Scan (Skeletal Scintigraphy)

    CPT-78306-FULL-BODY-BONE-SCAN-SCINTIGRAPHY

    CPT 78306: Full‑Body Bone Scan (Scintigraphy)

    CPT-78315-THREE-PHASE-BONE-SCAN-SCINTIGRAPHY

    CPT 78315: Three-Phase Bone Scan (Scintigraphy)

    CPT-78351-BONE-MINERAL-DENSITY-DUAL-ENERGY-PHOTON-ABSORPTIOMETRY

    CPT 78351: Dual-Energy Photon Bone Mineral Density Measurement

    CPT-78399-MUSCULOSKELETAL-NUCLEAR-MEDICINE-UNLISTED-PROCEDURE

    CPT 78399: Musculoskeletal Diagnostic Nuclear Medicine Procedure (Unlisted)

    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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