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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesDiagnostic Nuclear Medicine Procedures on the Nervous SystemCPT cpt-78606-nuclear-brain-imaging-static-views-cerebral-blood-flow
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    CPT 78606: Brain Nuclear Imaging, Static Views with Flow Evaluation

    Medicare pays $201 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 78606 describes nuclear diagnostic imaging of the brain performed with a radiopharmaceutical, consisting of four or more static (two-dimensional) views and an evaluation of cerebral blood flow; service type: nuclear medicine diagnostic study; typical site of service: hospital outpatient department or nuclear medicine clinic/imaging center.

    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 patient with progressive cognitive decline and intermittent episodes of altered mental status is referred for nuclear brain imaging to evaluate cerebral perfusion and functional activity. The ordering neurologist documents concerns for Alzheimer disease versus vascular dementia after cognitive testing and structural imaging (CT or MRI) were inconclusive. The patient arrives at the outpatient nuclear medicine department or hospital radiology suite; an IV line is established and a technologist administers a radiopharmaceutical (commonly technetium-labeled agent). After appropriate uptake time, the technologist acquires four or more static two-dimensional views of the brain and performs dynamic imaging to assess cerebral blood flow as ordered. Images are reviewed for regional perfusion defects, asymmetric uptake, or other functional patterns by a nuclear medicine physician or neuroradiologist, who provides a signed interpretive report. Typical sites of service include outpatient imaging centers, hospital radiology departments, and standalone nuclear medicine clinics. Indications commonly include evaluation of dementia, suspected stroke with perfusion assessment, seizure focus localization, and unexplained altered mental status. Patient preparation includes medication reconciliation, pregnancy screening when applicable, and explanation of the procedure and expected timeline; post-procedure monitoring is minimal and the patient may resume usual activities unless otherwise instructed by the ordering clinician.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    78451Myocardial perfusion imaging; planar, tomographic (SPECT), or gated SPECT, with stress and/or rest imaging — single studyData not available in the input.
    78607Brain imaging, tomographic (SPECT), single photon; stationary or moving gamma camera, including blood flow studies (if applicable)Often performed when three-dimensional tomographic SPECT imaging is needed for regional brain perfusion beyond static planar views.
    71045Radiologic examination, chest; single view, frontalData not available in the input.
    96372Therapeutic, prophylactic, or diagnostic injection (specify substance or drug); subcutaneous or intramuscularUsed if administration of adjunctive injectable medications is documented during the visit (e.g., sedative for claustrophobic patient).
    99213Office or other outpatient visit for the evaluation and management of an established patient, typically 15 minutesCommonly used by the ordering clinician for pre- or post-imaging outpatient evaluation.

    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…
    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…
    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…
    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
    207T00000X
    207P00000X
    246Z00000X
    208D00000X
    2086S0102X
    315D00000X
    261QS1000X
    207RN0300X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    25 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    F01.50Vascular dementia, unspecified severity, without behavioral disturbance, psychotic disturbance, mood disturbance, and anxiety
    F02.80Dementia in other diseases classified elsewhere, unspecified severity, without behavioral disturbance, psychotic disturbance, mood disturbance, and anxiety
    G31.84Mild cognitive impairment of uncertain or unknown etiology
    G45.1Carotid artery syndrome (hemispheric)
    G45.4Transient global amnesia
    G45.8Other transient cerebral ischemic attacks and related syndromes
    G45.9Transient cerebral ischemic attack, unspecified
    G93.1Anoxic brain damage, not elsewhere classified
    G93.2Benign intracranial hypertension
    G93.40Encephalopathy, unspecified

    Showing 1–10 of 25

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Neurology/Neurosurgery1 / 2

    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-78600-BRAIN-NUCLEAR-STATIC-IMAGING-FEWER-THAN-FOUR-VIEWS

    CPT 78600: Nuclear Diagnostic Brain Imaging, <4 Static Views

    CPT-78601-BRAIN-NUCLEAR-PERFUSION-IMAGING-FEWER-THAN-FOUR-STATIC-VIEWS

    CPT 78601: Nuclear Diagnostic Brain Imaging, Static Views and Flow

    CPT-78605-BRAIN-NUCLEAR-STATIC-IMAGING-FOUR-OR-MORE-VIEWS

    CPT 78605: Brain Nuclear Diagnostic Imaging, Four+ Static Views

    CPT-78608-PET-BRAIN-METABOLIC-IMAGING

    CPT 78608: Brain PET for Cerebral Metabolic Imaging

    CPT-78609-PET-BRAIN-IMAGING

    CPT 78609: Brain PET Scan for Function and Perfusion

    CPT-78610-CEREBRAL-PERFUSION-NUCLEAR-MEDICINE-STUDY

    CPT 78610: Brain Perfusion Study with Gamma Tracer

    CPT-78630-CSF-FLOW-STUDY-HYDROCEPHALUS-LEAK-EVALUATION

    CPT 78630: Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Flow Study, Head

    CPT-78635-CSF-FLOW-VENTRICULAR-IMAGING-HYDROCEPHALUS

    CPT 78635: CSF Flow Study for Ventricular Assessment

    CPT-78645-CSF-SHUNT-FLOW-IMAGING

    CPT 78645: CSF Shunt Patency and Flow Imaging Study

    CPT-78650-CSF-LEAK-NUCLEAR-IMAGING-LOCALIZATION

    CPT 78650: Nuclear Medicine Localization of CSF Leak

    Showing 1–10 of 12

    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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