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Radiology Coding Alert

Reader Questions:

Forget 78814-78816 for Fused Images

Published on Fri Apr 13, 2007

Question: In the March issue, you explained when you can report diagnostic CTs separately from PET/CTs. What if we fuse PET and CT images from separate systems? Can we use PET/CT codes for that service?

Montana Subscriber Answer: No. You should only use PET/CT codes 78814-78816 for PET/CTs acquired concurrently from PET/CT systems.

You should check with your payer about how to report the fused images, but many experts suggest reporting 78999 (Unlisted miscellaneous procedure, diagnostic nuclear medicine).
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