Summary & Overview
HCPCS Q9982: Flutemetamol F18 Diagnostic PET Dose
HCPCS Level II code Q9982 denotes flutemetamol F18 supplied per study dose (up to 5 millicuries), a diagnostic radiopharmaceutical used in PET imaging to evaluate cerebral beta-amyloid deposition. Nationally, availability and coverage of amyloid PET agents matter for dementia diagnosis pathways, care planning, and downstream utilization of neurologic services and therapeutics.
Key payers examined include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of code intent and clinical context, typical sites of service, and what to look for in payer coverage policies. The publication also highlights common billing considerations and where to find applicable policy language.
This summary provides: an explanation of what Q9982 represents; the clinical role of flutemetamol F18 in PET amyloid imaging; expected places of service; and a guide to the types of benchmarks, policy updates, and clinical context that influence coverage and utilization. Data not available in the input for payer-specific reimbursement benchmarks, associated taxonomies, and ICD-10 linkage is noted where applicable in the full publication.
Billing Code Overview
HCPCS Level II code Q9982 describes flutemetamol F18, a diagnostic radiopharmaceutical supplied per study dose, up to 5 millicuries. This product is used for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging to assist in evaluating the presence of beta-amyloid plaques in the brain.
Service Type: Diagnostic radiopharmaceutical administration for PET imaging
Typical Site of Service: Outpatient imaging centers or hospital outpatient departments
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient is an adult referred by a neurologist or geriatrician for evaluation of suspected Alzheimer disease or other cognitive impairment where amyloid PET imaging will aid diagnosis. The patient presents with progressive memory loss, impaired executive function, or atypical cognitive decline despite prior conventional workup (history, physical exam, neuropsychological testing, and brain MRI/CT). The clinical workflow: the ordering clinician documents indication and obtains informed consent; the nuclear medicine or radiopharmacy prepares Flutemetamol F18 up to 5 millicuries per study dose; the patient arrives to an outpatient imaging center or hospital PET unit (typical site of service: hospital outpatient department or independent diagnostic testing facility); an intravenous dose of Q9982 is administered; after the appropriate uptake period the patient undergoes PET acquisition; images are interpreted by a board-certified nuclear medicine physician or radiologist; results are reported to the ordering clinician and used to support diagnostic assessment and care planning.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
00 | Default/No modifier | Use when no specific modifier applies to the service |