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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesOther Diagnostic Nuclear Medicine ProceduresCPT cpt-78802-whole-body-nuclear-medicine-imaging
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    CPT 78802: Whole-Body Nuclear Medicine Imaging for Tumor/Inflammation Localization

    Medicare pays $188 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 78802 describes single-day whole-body diagnostic imaging using a gamma-emitting radiopharmaceutical to detect and localize tumors, inflammatory processes, or to assess radiopharmaceutical distribution; the service includes vascular flow and blood pool imaging of cardiac function if performed. This is a nuclear medicine imaging procedure performed by a radiology or nuclear medicine provider and is typically delivered in an outpatient imaging center or hospital nuclear medicine department.

    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 62-year-old patient with a history of colorectal cancer presents with rising carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and new bone pain. The referring oncologist orders a whole-body nuclear medicine scan using a gamma-emitting radiotracer to evaluate for metastatic disease and to localize potential tumor deposits and sites of radiopharmaceutical distribution. The patient arrives at an outpatient nuclear medicine department or hospital radiology/nuclear medicine suite. The technologist confirms identity, reviews the clinical indication and allergies, and administers the radiopharmaceutical intravenously. After an appropriate uptake period, the patient undergoes single-day whole-body planar and spot imaging, with flow and blood-pool sequences performed if cardiac function assessment is clinically indicated. The interpreting nuclear medicine physician documents findings, impression, and correlation with prior imaging, signs/symptoms, and laboratory data. The final report supports oncology treatment planning and may prompt additional targeted imaging or biopsy if suspicious focal uptake is identified.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    78803Therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals, imaging not the primary purpose (planar/limited) — (example code for limited studies)Performed when limited or regional nuclear imaging is indicated instead of whole-body single-day imaging; may be ordered for focused distribution assessment.
    78804Additional planar or limited whole-body imaging (Note: exact descriptions vary)Used for targeted follow-up imaging or additional planar views when suspicious lesions require further characterization.
    78800Radiopharmaceutical localization imaging (single area)Performed when imaging is confined to a single organ or region rather than whole-body; may precede or follow whole-body survey for targeted assessment.
    78806Therapeutic radiopharmaceutical localization, tomographic (SPECT)Used when tomographic imaging (SPECT) complements whole-body planar imaging to better localize lesions.
    78195Restrained or limited whole-body scan descriptors (Note: example related codes for nuclear medicine procedures)Performed for adjunct studies or specific organ blood-pool imaging in conjunction with the whole-body exam.

    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…
    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…
    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…
    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…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207P00000X
    207L00000X
    208100000X
    207YS0012X
    246QM0706X
    163WP0809X
    364SX0200X
    3336M0003X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    26 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    C16.9Malignant neoplasm of stomach, unspecified
    C18.9Malignant neoplasm of colon, unspecified
    C22.9Malignant neoplasm of liver, not specified as primary or secondary
    C25.9Malignant neoplasm of pancreas, unspecified
    C34.90Malignant neoplasm of unspecified part of unspecified bronchus or lung
    C50.912Malignant neoplasm of unspecified site of left female breast
    C56.9Malignant neoplasm of unspecified ovary
    C61Malignant neoplasm of prostate
    C64.9Malignant neoplasm of unspecified kidney, except renal pelvis
    C71.9Malignant neoplasm of brain, unspecified

    Showing 1–10 of 26

    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-78800-PLANAR-NUCLEAR-MEDICINE-SINGLE-AREA-TUMOR-LOCALIZATION

    CPT 78800: Planar Nuclear Medicine Imaging, Single Area

    CPT-78801-MULTI-DAY-MULTI-AREA-NUCLEAR-MEDICINE-IMAGING

    CPT 78801: Multi-Day/Multi-Area Nuclear Medicine Tumor Localization

    CPT-78803-SPECT-SINGLE-AREA-LOCALIZATION

    CPT 78803: Single-Day SPECT Tumor/Tracer Localization

    CPT-78804-MULTIDAY-WHOLE-BODY-NUCLEAR-IMAGING-GAMMA-TRACER

    CPT 78804: Whole-Body Nuclear Medicine Imaging, Multi-Day

    CPT-78808-RADIOTRACER-INJECTION-GAMMA-PROBE-LOCALIZATION

    CPT 78808: Radioguided Localization with Intravenous Radiotracer

    CPT-78811-TARGETED-PET-LOCALIZED-BODY-REGION

    CPT 78811: PET, limited area imaging

    CPT-78812-FDG-PET-BODY-IMAGING-FOR-ONCOLOGIC-EVALUATION

    CPT 78812: FDG PET Imaging for Detection of Malignant Tumors

    CPT-78813-WHOLE-BODY-PET

    CPT 78813: PET Whole Body Scan

    CPT-78814-PET-CT-TUMOR-LOCALIZATION-METABOLIC-EVALUATION

    CPT 78814: PET/CT Tumor Localization and Metabolic Imaging

    CPT-78815-PET-CT-TUMOR-IMAGING-ANATOMICAL-LOCALIZATION

    CPT 78815: PET/CT Tumor Imaging with Anatomical Localization

    Showing 1–10 of 16

    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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