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    OpenPayerBilling CodesAdministrative, Miscellaneous and InvestigationalHCPCS hcpcs-a9601-flortaucipir-pet-diagnostic-injection-1-millicurie
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    HCPCS Level II A9601: Flortaucipir F 18 Injection, Diagnostic, 1 millicurie

    HCPCS Level II code A9601 describes a diagnostic radiopharmaceutical, flortaucipir F 18 injection, reported per 1 millicurie dose and used for positron emission tomography (PET) tau imaging; the service is a diagnostic nuclear medicine PET radiotracer typically administered intravenously in an imaging center or hospital outpatient radiology/nuclear medicine department for evaluation of tau pathology in the brain.

    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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    • ModifiersCPT modifiers & usage
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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A typical patient is an adult referred to a PET imaging center from a neurology clinic for evaluation of suspected Alzheimer disease or other tauopathies. The patient presents with progressive memory decline, impaired executive function, or atypical cognitive symptoms after initial clinical assessment and cognitive testing. Prior workup often includes neurologic examination, neuropsychological testing, MRI of the brain to assess structural changes, and basic laboratory testing to exclude reversible causes. The ordering neurologist documents the medical necessity for targeted molecular imaging to visualize cerebral tau protein deposition.

    On the day of service the patient checks in to an outpatient nuclear medicine or radiology department (typical site of service: outpatient hospital radiology or freestanding imaging center). A nuclear medicine technologist and a radiopharmacist prepare the A9601 radiotracer (flortaucipir F 18) dose measured in millicuries. The patient is screened for contraindications, informed consent is obtained, and an IV line is established. The tracer A9601 is administered intravenously per protocol. After an appropriate uptake period, the patient undergoes a PET/CT acquisition of the brain. Images are interpreted by a board-certified neuroradiologist or nuclear medicine physician, who generates a report describing the pattern and degree of tau tracer uptake relative to normal reference regions. The study results are used by the ordering clinician to support diagnostic formulation, prognosis, and care planning for neurodegenerative disease management.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    78815Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, limited area (e.g., brain), single study, with concurrently acquired CT for attenuation correction and anatomical localization, followed by image interpretationCommonly billed for the PET/CT acquisition and interpretation when A9601 tracer is administered for brain imaging
    78816Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, multiple regions or whole body, with concurrently acquired CT for attenuation correction and anatomical localization, followed by image interpretationMay be used if PET imaging includes additional regions beyond the brain during the same session
    78226Imaging, radiopharmaceutical localization, brain (single area), planar and/or SPECT, qualitative or quantitativeOccasionally used in nuclear medicine workflows if planar or SPECT techniques are performed in conjunction (less typical for F-18 PET tracers)
    96372Therapeutic, prophylactic, or diagnostic injection (specify substance or drug); subcutaneous or intramuscularNot directly applicable to radiotracer but sometimes used in outpatient infusion settings for documentation of injection administration when organizational billing practice requires an injection administration code
    77301Radiopharmaceutical therapy dosimetry calculation

    Related Modifiers

    9 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…
    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…
    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
    207RH0000XHematology (Internal Medicine) PhysicianAn internist with additional training who specializes in diseases of the blood, spleen and lymph. This specialist treats conditions such as anemia, cl…
    208000000XPediatrics PhysicianA pediatrician is concerned with the physical, emotional and social health of children from birth to young adulthood. Care encompasses a broad spectru…
    363A00000XPhysician AssistantA physician assistant is a person who has successfully completed an accredited education program for physician assistant, is licensed by the state and…
    2084P0800XPsychiatry PhysicianA Psychiatrist specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of mental disorders, emotional disorders, psychotic disorders, mood disorders, …
    176B00000XMidwifeA Midwife is a trained professional with special expertise in supporting women to maintain a healthy pregnancy birth, offering expert individualized c…
    163WR0006XRegistered Nurse First AssistantA perioperative registered nurse who works in collaboration with the surgeon and other health care team members to achieve optimal outcomes. The RNFA…
    246W00000XCardiology TechnicianAn individual who has knowledge of specific techniques, instruments, and equipment required in performing specific cardiovascular/peripheral vascular …
    2081S0010XSports Medicine (Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation) PhysicianA physician who specializes in Sports Medicine is responsible for continuous care related to the enhancement of health and fitness as well as the prev…

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    26 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    F02.80Dementia in other diseases classified elsewhere, unspecified severity, without behavioral disturbance, psychotic disturbance, mood disturbance, and anxiety
    F03.90Unspecified dementia, unspecified severity, without behavioral disturbance, psychotic disturbance, mood disturbance, and anxiety
    F05Delirium due to known physiological condition
    F06.8Other specified mental disorders due to known physiological condition
    F07.81Postconcussional syndrome
    F10.27Alcohol dependence with alcohol-induced persisting dementia
    F19.97Other psychoactive substance use, unspecified with psychoactive substance-induced persisting dementia
    G30.0Alzheimer's disease with early onset
    G30.1Alzheimer's disease with late onset
    G30.8Other Alzheimer's disease

    Showing 1–10 of 26

    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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    Related to radiopharmacy activities when dosimetry or specialized calculations are performed (rare for single diagnostic dose)