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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesAdministrative, Miscellaneous and InvestigationalHCPCS hcpcs-a9526-nitrogen-n13-ammonia-per-study-dose
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    HCPCS Level II A9526: Nitrogen N-13 Ammonia Diagnostic Study Dose

    HCPCS Level II code A9526 describes a diagnostic radiopharmaceutical study dose of Nitrogen N-13 ammonia (up to 40 millicuries) used for myocardial perfusion imaging; the service represents delivery of the radiotracer for a diagnostic nuclear cardiology study, typically performed in an outpatient imaging center, hospital nuclear medicine department, or cardiac catheterization lab as part of cardiac perfusion or viability assessment.

    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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    • Billing CodesCPT, HCPCS, DRG & more
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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 62-year-old patient with known ischemic cardiomyopathy and exertional chest pain is referred for a PET myocardial perfusion study using nitrogen N-13 ammonia. The patient arrives to an outpatient nuclear cardiology center or hospital-based imaging department after cardiology consultation. An intravenous line is placed, medication review and informed consent are completed, and baseline vitals and ECG are obtained. The technologist administers the A9526 radiopharmaceutical dose (up to 40 millicuries) for rest imaging followed by stress imaging using pharmacologic or exercise stress as clinically indicated. Dynamic and static PET images are acquired, reconstructed, and reviewed by a nuclear cardiologist. The study informs assessment of myocardial perfusion, viability, and coronary artery disease severity to guide downstream management such as revascularization planning or medical therapy adjustments.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    78459Myocardial perfusion imaging, PET, complete, at rest and/or stress; single studyOften billed alongside radiopharmaceutical supply (A9526) when facility reports the imaging procedure for PET myocardial perfusion.
    78491Myocardial perfusion imaging, PET, add-on for attenuation correction or quantification (example descriptor varies by payer)Performed in conjunction with PET perfusion to improve image quality and quantitation; may be reported for additional image processing.
    71020Radiologic examination, chest, two views, frontal and lateralMay be performed before PET imaging in pre-procedure assessment to evaluate lung status when clinically indicated.
    93000Electrocardiogram, routine ECG with interpretation and reportObtained immediately before or during stress portion of myocardial perfusion testing to document baseline cardiac rhythm and ischemic changes.
    96372Therapeutic, prophylactic, or diagnostic injection (specify substance)If pharmacologic stress agent (e.g., regadenoson) is administered and reported separately in settings where injection administration is billed.

    Related Modifiers

    8 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    22Modifier –22 (Increased Procedural Services) is used when a reported procedure is substantially more extensive than normally required. The CPT Manual and CMS state it may be appended only when the…- When to use: Append modifier -22 to a procedural CPT code when the service performed is substantially more extensive than the usual service described by that code — i.e., the procedure required…
    23Modifier -23 (Unusual Anesthesia) is used on anesthesia service CPT codes when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia…- Use modifier -23 only on anesthesia CPT codes (00100–01999) when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia because of…
    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…
    55Modifier –55 indicates the billing provider furnished only postoperative management for a procedure that has a global surgical period. According to AAPC, this modifier is appended to the same CPT…- Use modifier -55 when billing the same CPT surgical code that has a 10- or 90-day global period and you, as a provider other than the original surgeon, furnished ONLY postoperative management (no…
    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…
    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
    208100000XPhysical Medicine & Rehabilitation PhysicianPhysical medicine and rehabilitation, also referred to as rehabilitation medicine, is the medical specialty concerned with diagnosing, evaluating, and…
    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…
    208000000XPediatrics PhysicianA pediatrician is concerned with the physical, emotional and social health of children from birth to young adulthood. Care encompasses a broad spectru…
    193200000XMulti-Specialty GroupA business group of one or more individual practitioners, who practice with different areas of specialization.
    363A00000XPhysician AssistantA physician assistant is a person who has successfully completed an accredited education program for physician assistant, is licensed by the state and…
    2255R0406XBlind Rehabilitation Specialist/TechnologistRespiratory, Developmental, Rehabilitative and Restorative Service Providers · Specialist/Technologist
    1223X0008XOral and Maxillofacial Radiology DentistryThe specialty of dentistry and discipline of radiology concerned with the production and interpretation of images and data produced by all modalities …
    163WP2201XAmbulatory Care Registered NurseNursing Service Providers · Registered Nurse

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    27 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    E11.9Type 2 diabetes mellitus without complications
    E66.01Morbid (severe) obesity due to excess calories
    E78.5Hyperlipidemia, unspecified
    I20.0Unstable angina
    I20.9Angina pectoris, unspecified
    I21.3ST elevation (STEMI) myocardial infarction of unspecified site
    I21.4Non-ST elevation (NSTEMI) myocardial infarction
    I21.9Acute myocardial infarction, unspecified
    I25.10Atherosclerotic heart disease of native coronary artery without angina pectoris
    I25.110Atherosclerotic heart disease of native coronary artery with unstable angina pectoris

    Showing 1–10 of 27

    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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