CPT code 78700 represents a nuclear medicine kidney scan used to evaluate renal structure, perfusion, and functional drainage. The code captures both cortical imaging — assessing kidney shape and cortical integrity — and functional studies that measure radionuclide transit through the renal collecting system. Kidney scans inform diagnosis and management of obstructive uropathy, renal perfusion deficits, and congenital or acquired anatomic abnormalities, making the code clinically significant across inpatient and outpatient imaging settings nationwide.

Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of clinical context for the service, typical sites of service, and the operational scope of the procedure. The publication summarizes common modifiers associated with imaging services, notes where input data was not available, and highlights which elements (benchmarks, payor policies, and coding guidance) are covered in detail elsewhere in the full report.

This executive summary frames CPT code 78700 for clinicians, billing staff, and policy analysts seeking a national perspective on utilization and administrative considerations of nuclear medicine kidney scans.