Loading...

    Explore
    • Policy Monitoring
    • Live Policy Feed
    • Billing Codes
    • NPI Medicare & Medicaid
    • Healthcare Providers
    • Health Insurance Payers
    • States
    • Service Lines
    • Taxonomy Codes
    Lookup tools
    • Billing Code Lookup
    • CPT Modifier Lookup
    • Provider Taxonomy Code Lookup
    • Healthcare Provider & Facility Lookup
    • Health Insurance Payer Lookup
    • Payer Contact Directory

    Policy & Benchmark Tools

    • Prior Authorization Lookup
    • Coverage Criteria Lookup
    • Timely Filing Lookup
    • Billing Code Reimbursement Rates
    • Payer Comparison Dashboard
    • Facility Comparison Dashboard
    • All tools

    Company

    • About OpenPayer
    • Data Sources
    • Trek Health
    OpenPayerby Trek Health
    LinkedInYouTube

    © 2026 Trek Health. All rights reserved.

    OpenPayer is built and maintained by Trek Health.

    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesDiagnostic Nuclear Medicine Procedures on the Cardiovascular SystemCPT cpt-78428-left-to-right-cardiac-shunt-detection
    Ask Trek AI about this page

    CPT 78428: Detection of Left-to-Right Cardiac Shunt

    Medicare pays $119 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 78428 describes a diagnostic nuclear medicine procedure to detect a left-to-right intracardiac shunt, assessing abnormal blood flow between the left and right sides of the heart. The service is a cardiac shunt detection study typically classified as a diagnostic imaging procedure and is usually performed in an imaging center or hospital nuclear medicine department using radiotracer techniques to visualize and quantify shunting.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Automated Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring for Diagnosis of Hypertension in Patients with Elevated Office Blood Pressure, Cardiology - Ivabradine, Cardiac Computed Tomography (CCT)/Coronary Computed Tomographic Angiography (CCTA).

    Customize your policy alerts

    Sign up for cpt 78428 policy alerts

    Get alerted when payer policies referencing 78428 are released or updated.

    Monitor payer policy activity

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

    Table of contents

    Progress1 / 6

    Explore openpayer tools

    • Billing CodesCPT, HCPCS, DRG & more
    • Reimbursement RatesCommercial vs. Medicare rate reports
    • Facility ComparisonBeds, revenue & payer mix
    • ProvidersHospitals & facilities
    • PayersPlans & market footprint
    • Taxonomy CodesNUCC specialty codes
    • ModifiersCPT modifiers & usage
    • Prior AuthorizationPA policies by payer & drug
    • Timely FilingFiling deadlines by payer
    • Coverage CriteriaMedical necessity by payer
    • Payer ContactsClaims, PA & appeals contacts
    View all tools

    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A typical patient is a pediatric or adult outpatient referred to a cardiac imaging lab for evaluation of a suspected intracardiac shunt after abnormal murmur detection, unexplained right-sided volume overload on echocardiography, or hypoxemia. The patient arrives for a nuclear medicine shunt study performed by a cardiology or nuclear medicine team to quantify a left-to-right shunt and localize abnormal intracardiac or extracardiac flow. Pre-procedure workflow includes verification of indications, review of prior echocardiogram or catheterization reports, informed consent, and IV access placement. A radiopharmaceutical is administered intravenously and dynamic and gated imaging is acquired to assess transit of tracer between left and right circulations. A cardiologist or nuclear medicine physician interprets images, documents shunt fraction (if measured), and issues a report with recommendations for correlation with echocardiography or cardiac catheterization if clinically indicated. Typical site of service is an outpatient imaging center, hospital nuclear medicine department, or ambulatory surgery center for patients who require sedation or monitoring.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    78452Myocardial perfusion, tomographic (SPECT) imaging, single study; with stress and rest sequencesPerformed for concurrent ischemic evaluation when the patient has suspected coronary disease in addition to shunt assessment.
    78430Myocardial perfusion, planar (non-tomographic) imaging; single studyAlternative nuclear cardiac imaging technique sometimes performed in the same visit.
    93306Echocardiography, transthoracic, real-time with image documentation (2D), complete, with spectral DopplerCommonly performed before or after shunt study to evaluate structural defects (e.g., VSD, ASD) and estimate shunt direction and size.
    93320Doppler echocardiography color flow velocity mappingUsed to identify and quantify shunts noninvasively; often part of the echo exam correlated with nuclear shunt results.
    93600Intracardiac electrophysiologic study including insertion and repositioning of multiple electrode catheters; with stimulation and recordingPerformed in select patients when invasive evaluation or intervention is planned after noninvasive shunt detection.
    93505Right heart catheterization including measurement(s) of cardiac output when performed; with or without left heart catheterizationInvasive hemodynamic assessment and shunt quantification may follow a positive noninvasive shunt study.

    Related Modifiers

    9 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…
    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…
    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…
    50Modifier –50 (Bilateral Procedure) is appended to a CPT code when an identical procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures during the same operative session. The AMA states to add…- Use modifier -50 when the same CPT surgical, diagnostic, or radiology procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures (both sides of the body) during the same operative/session by the same…
    62Modifier 62 indicates that two surgeons function as co‑surgeons, each performing distinct parts of the same primary surgical procedure. It is appended to the primary procedure code (and any…- Use modifier -62 when two surgeons act as co‑surgeons (both primary surgeons) on a single definitive primary procedure, each performing distinct parts of the same surgical procedure (append -62 to…
    78CPT 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…
    80CPT® 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
    207RC0000X
    208D00000X
    363L00000X
    367A00000X
    225XE0001X
    202K00000X
    2084N0402X
    246YC3301X

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Cardiology1 / 2

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Automated Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring for Diagnosis of Hypertension in Patients with Elevated Office Blood PressureBluecross Idaho2026-11-01
    Cardiology - IvabradineCigna2026-10-15
    Cardiac Computed Tomography (CCT)/Coronary Computed Tomographic Angiography (CCTA)univerahealthcare2026-10-15
    Percutaneous Ventricular Assist DeviceUnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Cardiovascular Disease Risk AssessmentOscar Health2026-10-01
    Biomarkers for Myocardial Infarction and Chronic Heart FailureOscar Health2026-10-01
    Multiple Procedure Payment Reduction for Diagnostic Cardiovascular ProceduresBlue Cross Blue Shield - Maine2026-10-01
    Left Atrial Appendage Closure Devicesexcellus_health_plan_inc2026-09-17
    Left Atrial Appendage Closure Devicesuniverahealthcare2026-09-17
    Cardiac Omnibus CodesCigna2026-09-15

    Related Codes

    CPT-78414-CARDIAC-PERFUSION-BLOOD-FLOW-ASSESSMENT

    CPT 78414: Cardiac Perfusion and Ejection Fraction Assessment

    CPT-78429-PET-MYOCARDIAL-IMAGING-PET-CT-MYOCARDIUM-FUNCTION

    CPT 78429: PET Myocardial Imaging, Single Study

    CPT-78430-PET-MYOCARDIAL-PERFUSION-IMAGING-REST-OR-STRESS

    CPT 78430: PET Myocardial Perfusion Imaging with CT

    CPT-78431-PET-MYOCARDIAL-PERFUSION-IMAGING-REST-AND-STRESS

    CPT 78431: PET Myocardial Perfusion with CT Transmission, Rest and Stress

    CPT-78432-PET-MYOCARDIAL-PERFUSION-METABOLIC-VIABILITY

    CPT 78432: PET Myocardial Perfusion and Viability Imaging

    CPT-78433-PET-MYOCARDIAL-PERFUSION-METABOLIC-IMAGING-CT

    CPT 78433: PET Myocardial Imaging for Perfusion and Metabolism

    CPT-78434-PET-MYOCARDIAL-PERFUSION-REST-AND-STRESS

    CPT 78434: PET Myocardial Blood Flow Study, Rest and Stress

    CPT-78445-ANGIOGRAPHY-VENOGRAPHY-DIAGNOSTIC-VASCULAR-IMAGING

    CPT 78445: Angiography/Venography Blood Flow Imaging

    CPT-78451-SINGLE-SPECT-MYOCARDIAL-PERFUSION-STUDY

    CPT 78451: Myocardial Perfusion SPECT, Single Study

    CPT-78452-CARDIAC-PERFUSION-SPECT-MULTIPLE-STUDIES

    CPT 78452: Myocardial Perfusion SPECT, Multiple Studies

    Showing 1–10 of 28

    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.
    Published by

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

    Trek Health ingests and normalizes Transparency in Coverage data and payer policy updates to give provider organizations a clear view of how commercial reimbursement behaves across markets, payers, and services. Our platform transforms raw payer disclosures into structured intelligence that supports contract evaluation, payer negotiations, and service line strategy. By combining market benchmarks with ongoing policy visibility, Trek helps teams identify variability, risk, and opportunity in commercial reimbursement. The result is faster insight, stronger negotiating positions, and more informed financial decisions.