Summary & Overview
HCPCS A9570: Indium-111 Labeled Autologous White Blood Cell Study
HCPCS Level II code A9570 designates a diagnostic nuclear medicine service: Indium-111 labeled autologous white blood cells administered per study dose. The procedure is used to detect and localize infection or inflammation by tagging the patient’s leukocytes with a radiotracer and imaging their distribution. Nationally, this code represents a specialized imaging modality with implications for inpatient and outpatient diagnostic workflows, radiopharmacy operations, and imaging reimbursements.
Key payers in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise explanation of the clinical purpose of the service, the typical sites of service where such studies are performed, and the payer mix relevant to coverage and reimbursement considerations. The publication summarizes available benchmarks, common billing practices, and policy-related updates affecting usage and payment of radiolabeled leukocyte studies. It also provides clinical context for when Indium-111 leukocyte imaging is utilized and highlights operational considerations for facilities that provide radiopharmaceutical preparation and imaging.
Data not available in the input for associated taxonomies, specific ICD-10 diagnoses, and related billing codes is noted where applicable.
Billing Code Overview
HCPCS Level II code A9570 represents Indium In-111 labeled autologous white blood cells, diagnostic, per study dose. This service involves labeling a patient’s own white blood cells with the radioactive isotope Indium-111 for diagnostic imaging studies, typically used to localize sites of infection or inflammation.
Service type: Diagnostic nuclear medicine procedure involving radiolabeled autologous cell preparation and imaging.
Typical site of service: Hospital outpatient departments, nuclear medicine facilities, and specialized imaging centers equipped for radiopharmaceutical handling and leukocyte labeling.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient is an adult with suspected intra-abdominal, pelvic, or musculoskeletal infection where conventional imaging and cultures are inconclusive. The referring clinician (often infectious disease, surgery, or internal medicine) orders an autologous indium-111 labeled white blood cell (WBC) study to localize active infection or abscess. The workflow: the patient presents to nuclear medicine or a hospital radiopharmacy; peripheral blood is drawn and neutrophils are isolated; the autologous leukocytes are labeled with Indium-111 in a controlled radiopharmacy environment; after quality checks, the labeled cells are reinjected; planar and/or SPECT imaging is performed at institution-specific intervals (commonly 18–24 hours and sometimes 48 hours) to identify focal radiotracer accumulation consistent with infection. Typical site of service is an outpatient nuclear medicine clinic or inpatient hospital radiology/nuclear medicine department. Common scenarios include fever of unknown origin, postoperative suspected abscess, inflammatory bowel disease with suspected abscess, prosthetic joint evaluation for infection, and evaluation of occult osteomyelitis when other modalities are equivocal.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
00 | No modifier | Not typically appended; use when no modifier applies |