Radiology Coding Alert

Keep using G0235 for Medicare patients for now. Medicare currently doesn't cover NaF-18 PET bone imaging for metastasis. But if commenters have their way, that will change soon. The gist: CMS is reconsidering sodium fluoride (NaF-18) PET bone imaging for bone metastasis coverage and recently closed the 30-day comment period. You may see a final decision by early September. Commenters noted the service's clinical value, while stressing the need for an alternative to Tc-99 imaging (78320, Bone and/or joint imaging; tomographic [SPECT]). For example: "With the continued and impending greater loss of Tc-99m supplies, F-18 promises to provide both a stopgap safety replacement and a longterm improvement in patient care," notes Robert Bridges, MD, medical director of Alaska Open Imaging Center, in his comments. Codes: For non-Medicare payers who cover the procedure, choose from PET imaging codes 78811- 78816. Currently, to report the service to Medicare (for a denial), you [...]