Radiology Coding Alert

Question: What is the difference between the imaging codes in the range CPT 78300 -CPT 78320 (Bone and/or joint imaging ...)?


Utah Subscriber

Answer: Use the first four codes in this nuclear medicine bone and joint imaging range for planar exams and the last one for SPECT.

78300-78306: Select the code from this range of planar codes based on your physician's documentation of the area scanned. Your options are the following:

• 78300--... limited area. This scan typically focuses on one particular anatomic area. Example: Your report indicates imaging of the foot and ankle, unilaterally.

• 78305--...multiple areas. Look for a focus on several areas, but less than the whole body. Example: Your report indicates imaging of bilateral ankles and knees or both hands and wrists or lower spine and pelvis.

• 78306--...whole body. As the descriptor suggests, you should see documentation of whole-body imaging.

78315: Report planar code 78315 (...three-phase study) if your report indicates a three-phase study, including vascular flow, blood pool, and delayed status images of a particular body part or parts.
 
This exam typically includes a series of images of a particular body part, taken immediately after administration of a radionuclide, 20 minutes after administration,and three hours after administration. Physicians often order this study for fractures, osteomyelitis, or metastatic bone disease.

78320: If your physician obtains specialized images using SPECT, report 78320 (... tomographic [SPECT]). Physicians often use SPECT to pinpoint difficult-to-see bone abnormalities.