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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesDiagnostic Nuclear Medicine Procedures on the Genitourinary SystemCPT cpt-78708-kidney-scan-nuclear-medicine-renal-imaging
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    CPT 78708: Kidney Scan (Renal Scintigraphy)

    Medicare pays $119 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 78708 describes a nuclear medicine kidney scan (renal scintigraphy) used to evaluate renal structure and function, including both cortical imaging to assess kidney shape and functional studies to measure radiotracer transit time, urine collection, and drainage into the bladder; typical service type is nuclear medicine diagnostic imaging and the typical site of service is an imaging department or outpatient nuclear medicine facility.

    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 56-year-old patient with a history of recurrent urinary tract infections and a single episode of acute flank pain is referred from primary care to nuclear medicine for a renal cortical and functional scan to evaluate renal morphology and differential perfusion. The typical clinical workflow begins with chart review of indications (e.g., suspected renal scarring, pyelonephritis, obstruction, or differential renal function), medication and allergy screening, and verification of renal function and pregnancy status if applicable. The patient arrives at the nuclear medicine department, consents to the procedure, and an intravenous line is placed for radiopharmaceutical injection. A cortical scan is performed to visualize renal shape and cortical defects; a functional (renogram) phase follows to assess perfusion, uptake, transit time, and drainage into the bladder. Images are acquired dynamically and with delayed static views as indicated. The nuclear medicine physician reviews images, generates a report quantifying differential renal function and any focal cortical defects or obstruction pattern, and the results are communicated to the referring clinician for management decisions.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    78700Renal cortical imaging, static, with or without kineticsPerformed when only cortical morphology is required; may be an alternative or complement to 78708.
    78707Renal perfusion imaging, static (e.g., tr30 minute renal blood flow)May be performed in conjunction to evaluate renal perfusion phases prior to functional renogram.
    78803Metabolic renal imaging (example code for renal cortical imaging)Performed for adjunct metabolic assessment when indicated alongside structural/functional studies.
    99213Office or other outpatient visit for evaluation and management of an established patientCommonly used by the referring clinician to evaluate symptoms that lead to ordering the renal scan.
    G0289Nuclear medicine therapy supervision and interpretation (example)May be used for reporting specialized nuclear medicine interpretation services when applicable.

    Related Modifiers

    6 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…
    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
    1710I1002X
    101YS0200X
    364SP0813X
    125Q00000X
    246ZN0300X
    207RH0005X
    261QH0700X
    292200000X

    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-78700-KIDNEY-SCAN-NUCLEAR-MEDICINE-RENAL-FUNCTION

    CPT 78700: Kidney Scan (Cortical and Functional Renal Scintigraphy)

    CPT-78701-KIDNEY-SCAN-NUCLEAR-MEDICINE-KIDNEY-IMAGING

    CPT 78701: Kidney Nuclear Scan (Cortical and Functional)

    CPT-78707-KIDNEY-SCAN-NUCLEAR-MEDICINE

    CPT 78707: Kidney Scan (Renal Nuclear Medicine)

    CPT-78709-KIDNEY-SCAN-RENAL-NUCLEAR-IMAGING

    CPT 78709: Renal Nuclear Medicine Scan

    CPT-78725-KIDNEY-SCAN-NUCLEAR-MEDICINE-RENAL-IMAGING

    CPT 78725: Kidney Scan, Cortical and Functional

    CPT-78730-URETERAL-REFLUX-AND-BLADDER-FUNCTION-RADIOISOTOPE-STUDY

    CPT 78730: Ureteral Reflux Study with Bladder Functional Evaluation

    CPT-78740-VOIDING-CYSTOURETHROGRAM-URETERAL-REFLUX-EVALUATION

    CPT 78740: Voiding Cystourethrogram to Evaluate Ureteral Reflux

    CPT-78761-NUCLEAR-MEDICINE-TESTICULAR-IMAGING-RADIOPHARMACEUTICAL

    CPT 78761: Scrotal Nuclear Medicine Scintigraphy for Acute Testicular Pain

    CPT-78799-DIAGNOSTIC-NUCLEAR-MEDICINE-GENITOURINARY

    CPT 78799: Diagnostic Nuclear Medicine Procedure, Genitourinary

    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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