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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesDiagnostic Nuclear Medicine Procedures on the Respiratory SystemCPT cpt-78580-pulmonary-perfusion-nuclear-imaging
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    CPT 78580: Lung Perfusion Nuclear Imaging for Pulmonary Embolism

    Medicare pays $146 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 78580 describes a combined professional and technical nuclear perfusion imaging study of the lungs performed to evaluate pulmonary blood flow and identify areas of decreased perfusion such as from a pulmonary embolism; the service is a diagnostic nuclear medicine perfusion scan (lung perfusion study) typically performed in a hospital nuclear medicine department or outpatient imaging center and documented as a full-service diagnostic perfusion examination.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Vafseo (vadadustat) for anemia in CKD on dialysis, Metabolic Disorders - Cysteamine (Oral) Products for Individual and Family Plans, Kerendia (finerenone) — Coverage Criteria.

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    Table of contents

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 58-year-old patient presents to the emergency department with acute onset dyspnea, pleuritic chest pain, tachycardia, and an oxygen saturation of 90% on room air. D-dimer is elevated and clinical assessment raises concern for pulmonary embolism. The clinician orders a nuclear medicine lung perfusion scan to evaluate regional pulmonary blood flow and identify potential perfusion defects consistent with emboli. The patient is transported to the nuclear medicine department where a technologist administers the radiopharmaceutical, acquires perfusion images in multiple projections, and the interpreting nuclear medicine physician reviews the images, generates a report, and documents findings in the medical record. The procedure is performed in a hospital outpatient radiology/nuclear medicine suite; it may also occur in an inpatient imaging department. The billed service includes both technical (radiopharmaceutical, technologist time, image acquisition) and professional (interpretation, report) components under 78580.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    71260Computed tomography, chest; without contrast materialOften performed as an alternate or complementary study when CT pulmonary angiography is used to evaluate for pulmonary embolism.
    71045Radiologic examination, chest; single view, frontalInitial chest radiograph frequently obtained before or alongside perfusion imaging to assess alternate causes of dyspnea.
    78466Myocardial imaging, planar or SPECT, single study, rest or stress; first study of a two-day protocolIn patients with cardiopulmonary symptoms, myocardial perfusion studies may be performed in the same workflow to assess cardiac ischemia (separate service).
    G0237Diagnostic imaging service, radiopharmaceutical localization of pulmonary perfusionMedicare-specific HCPCS sometimes used for reporting certain perfusion imaging; relates as alternative coding in some payer systems.
    93740Phlebotomy and immediate interpretation (pulmonary embolism workup)Laboratory and diagnostic tests, such as D-dimer and other imaging, are part of the clinical pathway surrounding 78580.

    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…
    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…
    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…
    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…
    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…
    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…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207RC0000X
    2084N0400X
    363L00000X
    310500000X
    2471V0105X
    207RA0401X
    246ZB0302X
    2251C2600X

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Nephrology1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Vafseo (vadadustat) for anemia in CKD on dialysisCigna2026-08-15
    Metabolic Disorders - Cysteamine (Oral) Products for Individual and Family PlansCigna2026-08-15
    Kerendia (finerenone) — Coverage CriteriaBlue Cross Blue Shield - Iowa2026-08-05
    Voyxact (sibeprenlimab-szsl) — Prior authorization / medical necessity for primary IgA nephropathyColorado Rocky Mountain Health Plans2026-08-01
    Oxlumo (lumasiran) and Rivfloza (nedosiran) — Coverage Criteria (Ohio)Colorado Rocky Mountain Health Plans2026-08-01
    Korsuva (difelikefalin) — Medical Benefit Drug Coverage Criteria (Ohio)Colorado Rocky Mountain Health Plans2026-08-01
    Complement Inhibitors - EmpaveliCigna2026-08-01
    Tolvaptan (Jynarque)Cigna2026-08-01
    Nephrology - Filspari (sparsentan) coverageCigna2026-08-01
    Rivfloza (nedosiran) prior authorization for PH1UnitedHealthcare2026-08-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-78579-PULMONARY-VENTILATION-IMAGING-NUCLEAR-SCAN

    CPT 78579: Pulmonary Ventilation Imaging

    CPT-78582-PULMONARY-VENTILATION-AND-PERFUSION-NUCLEAR-SCAN

    CPT 78582: Pulmonary Ventilation and Perfusion Nuclear Scan

    CPT-78597-PULMONARY-PERFUSION-QUANTITATIVE-NUCLEAR-SCAN

    CPT 78597: Pulmonary Perfusion Quantitative Blood Flow

    CPT-78598-PULMONARY-VENTILATION-PERFUSION-QUANTITATIVE-SCAN

    CPT 78598: Quantitative Pulmonary Ventilation and Perfusion Scan

    CPT-78599-UNLISTED-RESPIRATORY-NUCLEAR-MEDICINE-PROCEDURE

    CPT 78599: Respiratory Diagnostic Nuclear Medicine, Unlisted Procedure

    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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