Summary & Overview
HCPCS Level II A9571: Indium-111 Autologous Platelet Diagnostic Study
HCPCS Level II code A9571 designates Indium-111 labeled autologous platelets administered for a diagnostic study, reported per study dose. This specialized nuclear medicine procedure is used to image platelet distribution and identify sites of abnormal platelet sequestration or thrombus, supporting diagnostic and management decisions in hematology and vascular medicine. Nationally, A9571 is relevant for facilities offering advanced nuclear imaging and for payers covering radiopharmaceutical diagnostic services.
Key payers in coverage and reimbursement discussions include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. The publication provides a concise review of clinical context, common billing and service-line considerations, and payer coverage patterns where available. Readers will find benchmarks for reporting the code, typical sites of service, and an explanation of how the code fits into diagnostic workflows in nuclear medicine. The summary also highlights common modifiers and ancillary billing considerations (listed separately) and notes areas where input data was unavailable.
This article is intended for billing professionals, revenue cycle leaders, and clinical managers seeking a national-level briefing on HCPCS Level II code A9571, its clinical purpose, and where it is typically performed.
Billing Code Overview
HCPCS Level II code A9571 describes Indium In-111 labeled autologous platelets, diagnostic, per study dose. This service involves radiolabeling a patient’s own platelets with Indium-111 for diagnostic imaging studies to evaluate platelet distribution, sequestration, or thrombotic processes.
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Service type: Diagnostic radiopharmaceutical platelet labeling study
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Typical site of service: Nuclear medicine department or hospital outpatient imaging facility
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 68-year-old patient with a history of multiple prior thrombotic events and indeterminate platelet sequestration presents with progressive thrombocytopenia and suspected splenic platelet sequestration. The clinician orders an Indium-111 labeled autologous platelet study to evaluate platelet distribution and sites of sequestration or occult platelet consumption. On the day of service the patient undergoes blood draw in Nuclear Medicine for autologous platelet labeling with Indium-111, followed by reinfusion of labeled platelets and serial planar or SPECT imaging over the appropriate time points (commonly immediate and delayed imaging at 24–72 hours) to document platelet uptake in the spleen, liver, bone marrow, or sites of vascular graft or prosthetic device infection. Typical providers include nuclear medicine physicians, hematologists, or interventional radiologists; the typical site of service is a hospital outpatient imaging department or an ambulatory nuclear medicine center. Documentation includes indication, informed consent, blood collection and labeling procedure notes, lot numbers for radiopharmaceuticals, reinfusion documentation, imaging reports with time points, and interpretation correlating distribution with clinical concern for sequestration, bleeding source, or device infection.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
00 | Routine: default/unspecified | Use when no modifier applies and billing requires a placeholder routine code. |