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    OpenPayerBilling CodesAdministrative, Miscellaneous and InvestigationalHCPCS hcpcs-a9561-technetium-tc-99m-oxidronate-bone-imaging
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    HCPCS Level II A9561: Technetium Tc-99m Oxidronate Diagnostic Study Dose

    HCPCS Level II code A9561 describes a diagnostic nuclear medicine radiopharmaceutical — Technetium Tc-99m oxidronate — supplied per study dose (up to 30 millicuries) for bone imaging; the service involves administration of the radiotracer for a diagnostic bone scan typically performed in an outpatient imaging center or hospital nuclear medicine department and documented as a single study dose for interpretation and image acquisition.

    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 for a bone scintigraphy using technetium Tc-99m oxidronate A9561 to evaluate suspected skeletal pathology. Common presentations include focal bone pain after trauma, unexplained persistent localized skeletal pain, staging or surveillance of metastatic bone disease in known malignancy, evaluation of suspected osteomyelitis when radiographs are inconclusive, or assessment of complex regional pain syndrome. The clinical workflow begins with an order from the referring clinician (orthopedics, oncology, primary care, or infectious disease). The nuclear medicine department verifies indications, allergies, pregnancy status, and recent radiologic studies. The radiopharmacy dispenses Technetium Tc-99m oxidronate up to the study dose (up to 30 millicuries) and documents lot numbers and activity. The patient receives the radiotracer intravenously, a waiting period allows tracer uptake (commonly 2–4 hours for delayed whole-body/bone imaging), and planar and/or SPECT/SPECT-CT imaging is acquired. Interpreting physician documents findings, impression, and any limitations. Billing uses HCPCS Level II code A9561 for the radiopharmaceutical per study dose, and facility and professional components are billed as applicable. Patient preparation, consent for ionizing radiation, and radiation safety counseling are part of the workflow.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    78306Bone imaging, three phase; whole body with delayed viewsCommon nuclear medicine study performed using Technetium Tc-99m oxidronate for full skeletal survey and delayed imaging; often paired with the radiopharmaceutical charge A9561.
    78320Bone imaging, limited area, static images, single or multiple areasUsed when imaging is focused on a single anatomic region rather than whole-body; performed alongside the radiotracer billed with A9561.
    78800Radiopharmaceutical therapy and nuclear medicine imaging (planar) (historical code grouping) (Note: use specific imaging codes like 78306)General nuclear medicine imaging CPT; specific bone scan CPTs are preferred for accurate billing with A9561.
    78803Non-cardiac nuclear medicine study, tomographic (SPECT)SPECT acquisition often added to planar bone imaging to improve localization; performed after injection of A9561.
    763773D image postprocessing, nuclear medicine; SPECT/CT fusionUsed when SPECT images are fused with CT for anatomical correlation; augments interpretation of images obtained after A9561 administration.

    Related Modifiers

    10 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…
    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…
    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…
    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…
    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 CodeSpecialtyNotes
    207R00000XInternal Medicine PhysicianA physician who provides long-term, comprehensive care in the office and the hospital, managing both common and complex illness of adolescents, adults…
    364SX0200XOncology Clinical Nurse SpecialistPhysician Assistants & Advanced Practice Nursing Providers · Clinical Nurse Specialist
    251T00000XPACE Provider OrganizationA PACE provider organization is a not-for-profit private or public entity that is primarily engaged in providing PACE services(unique capitated manage…
    231H00000XAudiologist(1) A specialist in evaluation, habilitation and rehabilitation of those whose communication disorders center in whole or in part in hearing function.…
    367500000XCertified Registered Nurse Anesthetist(1) A licensed registered nurse with advanced specialty education in anesthesia who, in collaboration with appropriate health care professionals, prov…
    2084P0804XChild & Adolescent Psychiatry PhysicianChild & Adolescent Psychiatry is a subspecialty of psychiatry with additional skills and training in the diagnosis and treatment of developmental, beh…
    207ZM0300XMedical Microbiology PhysicianA medical microbiologist is expert in the isolation and identification of microbial agents that cause infectious disease. Viruses, bacteria and fungi,…
    156FX1100XOphthalmic Technician/TechnologistAn ophthalmic technician/technologist assists ophthalmologists by performing ophthalmic clinical functions, including administering eye exams, adminis…

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    23 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    C79.51Secondary malignant neoplasm of bone
    M19.90Unspecified osteoarthritis, unspecified site
    M25.561Pain in right knee
    M25.562Pain in left knee
    M25.571Pain in right ankle and joints of right foot
    M25.572Pain in left ankle and joints of left foot
    M47.26Other spondylosis with radiculopathy, lumbar region
    M47.816Spondylosis without myelopathy or radiculopathy, lumbar region
    M50.20Other cervical disc displacement, unspecified cervical region
    M51.26Other intervertebral disc displacement, lumbar region

    Showing 1–10 of 23

    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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