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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesDiagnostic Nuclear Medicine Procedures on the Cardiovascular SystemCPT cpt-78429-pet-myocardial-imaging-pet-ct-myocardium-function
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    CPT 78429: PET Myocardial Imaging, Single Study

    Medicare pays $80 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 78429 describes a single-study PET myocardial imaging procedure with CT transmission that evaluates myocardial metabolism (for example oxygen or glucose metabolism) and can include assessment of ejection fraction and ventricular wall motion; service type: nuclear medicine PET myocardial perfusion/metabolic imaging; typical site of service: hospital outpatient department or imaging center with PET/CT capabilities.

    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).

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 68-year-old male with known ischemic cardiomyopathy and persistent exertional angina is referred for a 78429 PET myocardial perfusion/metabolic imaging study to evaluate myocardial viability and perfusion-metabolism mismatch prior to consideration of coronary revascularization. The patient arrives at an outpatient nuclear cardiology center or hospital nuclear medicine suite. A technologist verifies identity, explains the exam, checks fasting status and medications (eg, recent beta-blockers, caffeine intake, or insulin adjustments for diabetic patients), and obtains IV access. Radiopharmaceuticals appropriate for perfusion and metabolic imaging are administered per protocol, and a low-dose CT transmission scan is acquired for attenuation correction. The interpreting physician (nuclear cardiologist or radiologist) reviews gated PET datasets for regional perfusion, metabolic activity, left ventricular ejection fraction, and wall motion; final report documents findings relevant to viability and revascularization planning. The exam is performed under standard monitoring with support from nursing and cardiology staff as needed. Typical site of service: outpatient imaging center, hospital outpatient department, or inpatient nuclear medicine department. Service type: advanced diagnostic nuclear cardiology imaging (single PET myocardial study with CT transmission for attenuation correction).

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    93306Echocardiography, transthoracic, real-time with image documentation (complete)Provides baseline cardiac function and wall motion assessment often performed before or after PET viability study
    75571Magnetic resonance imaging, heart, without contrast material, followed by contrast and further sequences (if performed) — Note: typical cardiac MRI code used for scar/viability assessmentCardiac MRI is an alternative modality for myocardial viability and scar characterization used alongside PET when available
    78452Myocardial SPECT imaging, tomographic (with or without rotation) with quantification when performedAlternative nuclear perfusion modality; may be used when PET not available or for functional comparison
    93000Electrocardiogram, routine ECG with interpretation and reportOften performed concurrently to correlate perfusion/metabolic findings with electrical activity
    71250CT thorax, without contrast, single or multiple areas of chest (for attenuation correction if separately reported)Low-dose CT for attenuation correction is typically part of PET/CT; billed separately only when a diagnostic-quality CT is performed

    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…
    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…
    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…
    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…
    23Modifier -23 (Unusual Anesthesia) is used on anesthesia service CPT codes when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia…- Use modifier -23 only on anesthesia CPT codes (00100–01999) when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia because of…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207RC0000X
    208000000X
    333600000X
    207RP1001X
    246ZE0600X
    2278P3800X
    261QP1100X
    261QM1300X

    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-78428-LEFT-TO-RIGHT-CARDIAC-SHUNT-DETECTION

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

    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.
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