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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesTherapeutic Nuclear Medicine ProceduresCPT cpt-79101-radiopharmaceutical-intravenous-therapy
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    CPT 79101: Intravenous Radiopharmaceutical Therapy

    Medicare pays $99 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 79101 describes a procedure in which a provider injects a radiopharmaceutical into the venous bloodstream to deliver targeted systemic radiopharmaceutical therapy, typically performed in an outpatient infusion center or nuclear medicine department and classified as a therapeutic radiopharmaceutical injection service for the treatment of relevant conditions.

    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 65-year-old patient with metastatic thyroid carcinoma presents for systemic radionuclide therapy. After review of recent labs, pregnancy status, and patient consent, the nuclear medicine team prepares a therapeutic dose of a radiopharmaceutical for intravenous administration. The patient is placed in a monitored treatment room in the outpatient nuclear medicine or radiation oncology suite. A registered nurse or nuclear medicine technologist verifies identity, explains the procedure, and establishes venous access. The provider (nuclear medicine physician or radiation oncologist) confirms indication, ensures radiation safety measures, and injects the radiopharmaceutical into the venous bloodstream under standard precautions. Post-injection monitoring is performed to assess for immediate adverse reactions, and discharge instructions include radiation safety precautions, potential side effects, and follow-up imaging or labs as indicated.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    79101Injection of radiopharmaceutical into venous blood stream for therapeutic purposesPrimary procedure: intravenous administration of a therapeutic radiopharmaceutical
    77520Radiotherapy procedure planning, complex, including simulation and dosimetryPerformed prior to radionuclide therapy when dosimetry or complex planning is required
    79005Radiopharmaceutical therapy, including preparation and administration, unlisted dose/techniqueAlternate code used for certain therapeutic radiopharmaceutical administrations not otherwise specified
    96413Chemotherapy administration, injection, IV push, each additional drug (Note: chemotherapy administration codes sometimes billed alongside systemic oncologic therapies)Used when concurrent IV chemotherapy is administered in addition to radionuclide therapy
    99070Supplies and materials provided by the physician over and above those usually included with the office visit or serviceUsed to report special protective materials, isolation supplies, or additional disposables required for radiopharmaceutical therapy

    Related Modifiers

    9 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…
    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…
    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…
    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
    2080S0012X
    208G00000X
    163WE0003X
    261Q00000X
    261QX0203X
    283X00000X
    313M00000X
    173F00000X

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Nephrology1 / 2

    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-79005-ORAL-RADIOPHARMACEUTICAL-THERAPY

    CPT 79005: Oral Radiopharmaceutical Therapy

    CPT-79200-INTRACAVITARY-RADIOPHARMACEUTICAL-ADMINISTRATION

    CPT 79200: Intracavitary Radiopharmaceutical Administration

    CPT-79300-INTERSTITIAL-BRACHYTHERAPY-IMPLANTATION

    CPT 79300: Brachytherapy Radioactive Seed/Wire Implantation

    CPT-79403-RADIOLABELED-MONOCLONAL-ANTIBODY-INFUSION

    CPT 79403: Intravenous Radiolabeled Monoclonal Antibody Infusion

    CPT-79440-RADIOPHARMACEUTICAL-INJECTION-FOR-SYNOVIAL-INFLAMMATION

    CPT 79440: Therapeutic Radioactive Joint Injection

    CPT-79445-TRANSARTERIAL-RADIOEMBOLIZATION-INTRA-ARTERIAL-RADIOACTIVE-INJECTION

    CPT 79445: Transarterial Radioembolization (Intra-arterial Embolization)

    CPT-79999-RADIOPHARMACEUTICAL-THERAPY-UNLISTED-PROCEDURE

    CPT 79999: Radiopharmaceutical Therapy, Unlisted Procedure

    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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