Question:
Both planar and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) bone scan images of the lumbar spine were obtained. Would you report both 78300 and 78320?
Answer:
You can’t code a limited nuclear medicine imaging scan with a SPECT scan. SPECT includes any limited planar imaging. Assign only code 78320. That’s true in any body area if you do limited imaging with SPECT code only the SPECT. Particularly within the bone scans, the only two codes that may be reported together are 78306 (whole-body imaging) and 78320 (SPECT).
| 78320 | Bone and/or joint imaging; tomographic (SPECT) |
| 78306 | Bone and/or joint imaging; whole body |
CPT® copyright 2024 American Medical Association (AMA). All rights reserved.
Fee schedules, relative value units, conversion factors and/or related components are not assigned by the AMA, are not part of CPT, and the AMA is not recommending their use. The AMA does not directly or indirectly practice medicine or dispense medical services. The AMA assumes no liability for data contained or not contained herein.
CPT is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association.
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