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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesAdministrative, Miscellaneous and InvestigationalHCPCS hcpcs-a9503-technetium-tc-99m-medronate-bone-imaging
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    HCPCS A9503: Technetium Tc-99m Medronate for Bone Imaging

    HCPCS Level II code A9503 describes a diagnostic nuclear medicine radiopharmaceutical: technetium tc-99m medronate supplied per study dose (up to 30 millicuries) for bone imaging; the service involves preparation and administration of the radiopharmaceutical and is typically provided in outpatient imaging centers, hospital nuclear medicine departments, or diagnostic radiology suites for bone scan studies.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Interferential Stimulation Devices (for home use), Prior Authorization for Durable Medical Equipment (DME), Breast Pumps.

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    Table of contents

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A typical patient is an adult referred from primary care or orthopedics with persistent, unexplained localized bone pain, suspected occult fracture, or evaluation for metastatic bone disease. The patient arrives at an outpatient nuclear medicine or radiology department. After verification of identity, indications, and pregnancy status, a technologist and nuclear medicine physician review contraindications and obtain informed consent for a diagnostic nuclear medicine bone scan using technetium tc-99m medronate. The study dose, up to 30 millicuries, is administered intravenously as A9503. The patient returns for imaging at standard time intervals (typically 2–3 hours post-injection for planar and SPECT imaging). The nuclear medicine technologist performs whole-body planar images and targeted SPECT/CT as ordered. The interpreting physician documents findings, procedure details, administered activity in millicuries, and any adverse reactions. Billing uses A9503 for the radiopharmaceutical dose; imaging and interpretation are billed separately with applicable CPT codes and appropriate modifiers for professional or technical components as required.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    78014Radionuclide bone imaging, whole body, single or multiple studies, including blood clearance and/or blood pool imaging when performedCommonly used to report the imaging procedure that follows administration of A9503; pairs with the radiopharmaceutical dose billing.
    78800Radiopharmaceutical therapy or imaging agent, localization of tumor, planar imaging, single area; general radiopharmaceutical imaging (non-specific) — note: use specific nuclear medicine study codes when applicableMay be used for certain planar or spot imaging sequences in conjunction with the technetium bone agent when protocol fits.
    78803Tomographic (SPECT) nuclear medicine imaging, single area; generalUsed when SPECT imaging is performed after administration of A9503 for improved localization of lesions.
    763763D rendering with interpretation and reporting of CT, MRI, ultrasound, or other tomographic modalityUsed when SPECT/CT studies are post-processed with 3D rendering adjunct to the nuclear medicine interpretation.
    93010Electrocardiogram, routine EKG with interpretation — if required for pre-procedure assessmentOccasionally performed in outpatient settings if required by facility protocol prior to radiopharmaceutical administration.

    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…
    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 CodeSpecialtyNotes
    2086S0102XSurgical Critical Care PhysicianA surgeon with expertise in the management of the critically ill and postoperative patient, particularly the trauma victim, who specializes in critica…
    246Z00000XOther Specialist/TechnologistGeneral classification identifying individuals trained on specific equipment and technical procedures in one of a collection of miscellaneous healthca…
    207RC0000XCardiovascular Disease PhysicianAn internist who specializes in diseases of the heart and blood vessels and manages complex cardiac conditions such as heart attacks and life-threaten…
    344800000XAir CarrierAn air company that the Federal Aviation Administration, the certificate-holding district office (CHDO), regional Flight Standards Division (RFSD) off…
    163WM1400XNurse Massage Therapist (NMT)Nursing Service Providers · Registered Nurse
    225XE1200XErgonomics Occupational TherapistRespiratory, Developmental, Rehabilitative and Restorative Service Providers · Occupational Therapist
    246X00000XCardiovascular Specialist/TechnologistAn allied health professional who performs diagnostic examinations at the request or direction of a physician in one or more of the following three ar…
    332H00000XEyewear SupplierAn organization that provides spectacles, contact lenses, and other vision enhancement devices prescribed by an optometrist or ophthalmologist.

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    22 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    C79.51Secondary malignant neoplasm of bone
    G89.29Other chronic pain
    M25.561Pain in right knee
    M25.562Pain in left knee
    M25.569Pain in unspecified knee
    M47.812Spondylosis without myelopathy or radiculopathy, cervical region
    M48.02Spinal stenosis, cervical region
    M48.04Spinal stenosis, thoracic region
    M51.26Other intervertebral disc displacement, lumbar region
    M79.7Fibromyalgia

    Showing 1–10 of 22

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Durable Medical Equipment (DME)1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Interferential Stimulation Devices (for home use)Moda Health2026-10-01
    Prior Authorization for Durable Medical Equipment (DME)Blue Cross Blue Shield - Rhode Island2026-10-01
    Breast PumpsModa Health2026-09-01
    Personal Emergency Response SystemsCareSource Georgia2026-09-01
    Continuous Passive Motion (CPM) DevicesCigna2026-08-15
    Push-Rim Activated Power-Assist Device (E0986) — Manual Wheelchair Accessorymoda_health_plan_inc2026-08-13
    Beds and Mattresses (for Ohio Only)Colorado Rocky Mountain Health Plans2026-08-01
    Beds and Mattresses (for Kentucky Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-08-01
    Pneumatic Compression Devices (for Nebraska Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-08-01
    Indications for Coverage — Hospital beds, support surfaces, and safety enclosure beds (DME)Colorado Rocky Mountain Health Plans2026-08-01

    Related Codes

    HCPCS-A9150-NON-PRESCRIPTION-DRUGS

    HCPCS Level II A9150: Non-prescription Drugs

    HCPCS-A9152-SINGLE-ORAL-VITAMIN-MINERAL-DOSE

    HCPCS A9152: Single Oral Vitamin/Mineral/Trace Element

    HCPCS-A9153-MULTIVITAMIN-ORAL-PER-DOSE

    HCPCS A9153: Multiple Vitamins, Oral, Per Dose

    HCPCS-A9154-ARTIFICIAL-SALIVA-1ML

    HCPCS Level II A9154: Artificial saliva, 1 ml

    HCPCS-A9155-ARTIFICIAL-SALIVA-30ML

    HCPCS Level II A9155: Artificial Saliva, 30 mL

    HCPCS-A9156-ORAL-MUCOADHESIVE-PER-1ML

    HCPCS Level II A9156: Oral Mucoadhesive, Per 1 ml

    HCPCS-A9180-PEDICULOSIS-TOPICAL-TREATMENT-PATIENT-ADMINISTRATION

    HCPCS Level II A9180: Pediculosis Topical Treatment for Patient/Caretaker

    HCPCS-A9268-PROGRAMMER-TRANSIENT-INGESTED-CAPSULE

    HCPCS Level II A9268: Programmer for Transient Orally Ingested Capsule

    HCPCS-A9269-PROGRAMMABLE-TRANSIENT-ORAL-CAPSULE

    HCPCS Level II A9269: Programmable Orally Ingested Capsule, Per Month

    HCPCS-A9270-NON-COVERED-ITEM-OR-SERVICE

    HCPCS A9270: Non-covered Item or Service

    Showing 1–10 of 138

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    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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