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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesAdministrative, Miscellaneous and InvestigationalHCPCS hcpcs-a9597-pet-radiopharmaceutical-tumor-identification-noc
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    HCPCS Level II A9597: PET Radiopharmaceutical for Tumor Identification, NOC

    HCPCS Level II code A9597 describes a diagnostic positron emission tomography (PET) radiopharmaceutical used for tumor identification, not otherwise classified; the service represents administration of a PET imaging tracer for oncologic localization and characterization and is typically provided as a diagnostic imaging procedure in an outpatient imaging center or hospital radiology/nuclear medicine department.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Interferential Stimulation Devices (for home use), Durable Medical Equipment (DME): Tumor Treating Fields (Alternating Electric Field Therapy) Medical Guideline, Durable Medical Equipment (DME): Bone Growth Stimulators Medical Guideline.

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 62-year-old patient with a history of a treated colorectal carcinoma presents with rising carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels and equivocal findings on contrast-enhanced CT. The oncology team orders a tumor-targeted PET radiopharmaceutical study to localize possible recurrent or metastatic disease. The imaging appointment occurs in an outpatient nuclear medicine or PET/CT center. The workflow includes: pre-authorization and verification of indications, review of recent lab values and allergy history, patient preparation (fasting, hydration, medication instructions), radiopharmaceutical preparation and quality check by the radiopharmacy, intravenous administration of the PET radiotracer, an uptake/incubation period, patient positioning and CT localization, PET emission acquisition with concurrent or subsequent diagnostic CT as indicated, image reconstruction and attenuation correction, interpretation by a board-certified nuclear medicine physician or radiologist, and issuance of a signed diagnostic report. The study uses billing code A9597 for a diagnostic PET radiopharmaceutical for tumor identification not otherwise classified; the facility bills the technical component and the interpreting physician bills the professional component as applicable. Common sites of service include outpatient imaging centers, hospital outpatient departments, and ambulatory surgery centers that provide PET/CT services.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    78811Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, limited area, for evaluation of metabolic activity; e.g., tumor/metabolic studiesMay be used when a limited PET acquisition is performed targeting a specific body region after administration of a tumor-specific radiopharmaceutical billed with A9597.
    78812Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, whole body, for evaluation of metabolic activity; e.g., tumor/metabolic studiesCommonly used when a whole-body PET acquisition is performed following injection of the diagnostic tumor radiopharmaceutical A9597.
    78814Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, with concurrently acquired CT for attenuation correction and anatomic localization; limited areaUsed when PET emission data are acquired with a diagnostic or low-dose CT for localization and attenuation correction for a limited region.
    78815Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, with concurrently acquired CT for attenuation correction and anatomic localization; whole bodyUsed for whole-body PET/CT acquisition after administration of the tumor-targeted radiopharmaceutical billed with A9597.
    96372Therapeutic, prophylactic, or diagnostic injection; subcutaneous or intramuscularMay be used by facility or provider for administration of the radiopharmaceutical when local billing practices require a separate injection code in addition to PET imaging codes.

    Related Modifiers

    7 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…
    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…
    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…
    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…
    56Modifier ‑56 indicates the reporting provider furnished only the preoperative management for a surgical procedure and did not perform the intraoperative or postoperative care. It is used in…- Use Modifier -56 when a provider performs only the preoperative management in a split‑care situation (one physician manages preop care while a different physician performs the intraoperative…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy CodeSpecialtyNotes
    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…
    2085R0202XDiagnostic Radiology PhysicianA radiologist who utilizes x-ray, radionuclides, ultrasound and electromagnetic radiation to diagnose and treat disease.
    208800000XUrology PhysicianA urologist manages benign and malignant medical and surgical disorders of the genitourinary system and the adrenal gland. This specialist has compreh…
    333600000XPharmacyA facility used by pharmacists for the compounding and dispensing of medicinal preparations and other associated professional and administrative servi…
    2080S0010XPediatric Sports Medicine PhysicianA pediatrician who is responsible for continuous care in the field of sports medicine, not only for the enhancement of health and fitness, but also fo…
    261QC1800XCorporate Health Clinic/CenterAmbulatory Health Care Facilities · Clinic/Center
    103TB0200XCognitive & Behavioral PsychologistA psychologist who reflects an experimental-clinical approach distinguished by use of principles of human learning and development and theories of cog…
    2080B0002XPediatric Obesity Medicine PhysicianA physician who specializes in the treatment of obesity demonstrates competency in and a thorough understanding of the treatment of obesity and the ge…

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Durable Medical Equipment (DME)1 / 3

    5 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Interferential Stimulation Devices (for home use)Moda Health2026-10-01
    Durable Medical Equipment (DME): Tumor Treating Fields (Alternating Electric Field Therapy) Medical GuidelineWPS Health Insurance2026-10-01
    Durable Medical Equipment (DME): Bone Growth Stimulators Medical GuidelineWPS Health Insurance2026-10-01
    General Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Medical GuidelineWPS Health Insurance2026-10-01
    Prior Authorization for Durable Medical Equipment (DME)Blue Cross Blue Shield - Rhode Island2026-10-01

    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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