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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesDiagnostic Nuclear Medicine Procedures on the Genitourinary SystemCPT cpt-78799-diagnostic-nuclear-medicine-genitourinary
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    CPT 78799: Diagnostic Nuclear Medicine Procedure, Genitourinary

    CPT code 78799 is an unlisted diagnostic nuclear medicine procedure for the genitourinary system used when no more specific nuclear medicine CPT code applies; it describes diagnostic imaging of renal or urinary tract function typically performed as a nuclear medicine study in an outpatient imaging center or hospital nuclear medicine department and is reported when a unique, billable genitourinary nuclear diagnostic service is provided that lacks a specific CPT descriptor.

    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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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A typical patient is a 58-year-old adult referred from urology for a diagnostic nuclear medicine genitourinary study after complex urinary tract symptoms and inconclusive ultrasound and CT imaging. The patient presents with intermittent hematuria, suspected vesicoureteral reflux or obstructive uropathy, or a suspected renal functional asymmetry. The nuclear medicine team confirms clinical indication, reviews recent serum creatinine and allergy history, obtains informed consent, and prepares the radiotracer. The study is performed in an outpatient imaging center or hospital radiology/nuclear medicine department. The nuclear medicine technologist administers the radiopharmaceutical intravenously, acquires dynamic and/or static scintigraphic images of the kidneys and urinary tract per protocol, and documents radiotracer dose and timing. The interpreting nuclear medicine physician reviews images, quantifies differential renal function and drainage patterns, and issues a signed report with findings and interpretation. The report is routed to the referring urologist or nephrologist for management decisions.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    78800Radiopharmaceutical localization of tumor or distribution of radiopharmaceutical agent (planar)Alternative nuclear medicine technique for genitourinary localization when specific codes apply
    78306Bone imaging, whole body; multiple studies (planar)Often performed in the same imaging facility but different anatomic focus; not specific to GU
    96372Therapeutic, prophylactic, or diagnostic injection (specify substance)Related billing for administration services when required for radiopharmaceutical injection

    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…
    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…
    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…
    80CPT® Modifier 80 (Assistant Surgeon) is appended to a surgical CPT code when a physician (MD or DO) provides full, continuous assistance throughout the operative procedure. It is intended only for…- Use CPT Modifier -80 when a physician (MD or DO) serves as an assistant surgeon and provides full, continuous assistance throughout the entire operative procedure; append -80 to the surgical CPT…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    2080P0206X
    2085R0202X
    3336C0002X
    208M00000X
    208C00000X
    2471B0102X
    246Q00000X
    2084P0015X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    28 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    N10Acute pyelonephritis
    N12Tubulo-interstitial nephritis, not specified as acute or chronic
    N13.2Hydronephrosis with renal and ureteral calculous obstruction
    N13.6Pyonephrosis
    N20.0Calculus of kidney
    N20.1Calculus of ureter
    N20.2Calculus of kidney with calculus of ureter
    N21.0Calculus in bladder
    N23Unspecified renal colic
    N25.0Renal osteodystrophy

    Showing 1–10 of 28

    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-78708-KIDNEY-SCAN-NUCLEAR-MEDICINE-RENAL-IMAGING

    CPT 78708: Kidney Scan (Renal Scintigraphy)

    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

    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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