2025 CPT code 78432
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Cardiovascular Imaging - Nuclear Medicine Procedures Radiology Feed
Myocardial imaging using PET scan, combining perfusion and metabolic evaluation with dual radiotracers.
Modifiers 26 (professional component) and TC (technical component) can be applied as appropriate depending on the services performed.Other modifiers may be used depending on the specific circumstances of the case.
Medical necessity for a 78432 study is typically established based on the presence of symptoms suggestive of coronary artery disease, prior myocardial infarction, known or suspected cardiac dysfunction, or pre-operative assessment for surgical intervention.Documentation of symptoms, risk factors, and clinical findings must support the need for the procedure.Payer-specific guidelines may apply.
A cardiologist or nuclear medicine physician is typically responsible for performing and interpreting this study. The clinical responsibilities encompass patient selection, administration of radiotracers, acquisition of PET images, image analysis, and report generation.In some cases, collaboration with other specialists may be necessary for comprehensive patient care.
In simple words: A PET scan of the heart using two special dyes to show how well the heart muscle is working and how much blood it's receiving. This test gives detailed information about the heart's health.
This CPT code encompasses a myocardial imaging procedure utilizing positron emission tomography (PET) technology.The study involves a combined perfusion and metabolic evaluation of the heart muscle, employing two different radiotracers.The procedure assesses myocardial perfusion (blood flow), metabolic function (e.g., glucose uptake, fatty acid metabolism), and, if performed, ventricular wall motion and ejection fraction.The dual-tracer approach enhances the diagnostic capabilities by providing comprehensive information about myocardial viability.
Example 1: A 65-year-old male presents with chest pain and suspected coronary artery disease. A 78432 study is performed to assess myocardial perfusion and viability, aiding in diagnosis and treatment planning., A 70-year-old female post-myocardial infarction undergoes a 78432 study to evaluate the extent of myocardial damage and assess the effectiveness of revascularization procedures., A 50-year-old male with diabetes and risk factors for heart disease undergoes a 78432 study to assess myocardial viability before cardiac surgery.
Patient demographics, clinical history, indication for study, radiotracer used, images acquired (with quality assurance), quantitative data (perfusion and metabolic parameters), interpretation report, and any significant findings.Documentation should also include consent forms and billing information.
** Accurate coding requires careful review of the specific procedure performed, including the radiotracers used, the number of studies (rest and/or stress), and the acquisition of any concurrent CT scans.Always consult the most recent CPT manual and payer-specific guidelines for proper billing practices.
- Revenue Code: I1E (Standard Imaging - Nuclear Medicine)
- RVU: RVUs vary based on geographic location and other factors. Consult the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule or other relevant payer guidelines for specific RVU values and reimbursement rates.The technical components for these codes are generally contractor-priced.
- Global Days: The global period for this procedure would depend on payer policies and specific circumstances.There is no standard global period specified in the CPT code description.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: Modifier TC (technical component) might be applicable when the technical aspects of the procedure are billed separately from the professional interpretation.
- Fee Schedule: Historical fee schedule data is subject to change.Refer to publicly available fee schedules and payer-specific databases for details.
- Specialties:Cardiology, Nuclear Medicine
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center, Office