CPT code 78431 represents a PET myocardial perfusion imaging study with CT transmission, used to assess blood flow to and from the heart. The code covers multi-phase testing performed at rest and with pharmacologic or exercise stress, and may include ejection fraction and ventricular wall motion assessments when performed. This imaging modality is increasingly relevant as PET offers higher spatial and temporal resolution compared with some traditional nuclear scans, supporting more precise assessment of ischemia and viability in patients with suspected or known coronary artery disease.

Key payers covered in this national analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. The publication summarizes how CPT code 78431 is billed across these payers, highlights typical sites of service such as hospital outpatient imaging departments and independent diagnostic imaging centers, and outlines clinical contexts in which the code is used.

Readers will learn operational benchmarks and coverage considerations, clinical context for appropriate utilization of PET myocardial perfusion with CT transmission, and relevant coding nuances for multi-phase rest and stress studies. Data not available in the input is noted where specific contract terms, frequency limits, or payer-specific coverage criteria are required for local decision-making.