Nuclear Medicine: Thyroid Imaging (Codes 78012-78014) (June 2013)

Why This Topic Matters

Thyroid nuclear medicine studies were reorganized in the 2013 CPT code set, so accurate understanding of the updated code family helps support consistent reporting and documentation review. The article also highlights related supply coding considerations and the type of clinical documentation commonly associated with these studies.

Article Sections

1. June 2013 pages 9-11

   Publication and article context for the June 2013 CPT Assistant issue.

2. Nuclear Medicine: Thyroid Imaging (Codes 78012-78014)

   Overview of thyroid nuclear medicine imaging and uptake services, including the 2013 CPT code revision and the general categories of studies covered.

3. New Codes

   Introduction to the updated thyroid imaging and uptake CPT code family.

4. Thyroid Uptake

   General discussion of uptake measurement services, timing considerations, and related reporting context.

5. Coding Tip

   High-level coding and supply-reporting considerations related to nuclear medicine services and radiopharmaceuticals.

6. Thyroid Imaging

   General discussion of thyroid imaging services and common clinical contexts in which the study may be used.

7. Thyroid Uptake and Imaging

   Overview of combined thyroid imaging and uptake studies and how the comprehensive service category is presented in the article.

8. Coding Tip

   Additional general guidance about multi-day nuclear medicine services and complete-service reporting considerations.

9. Clinical Example (78012) / Description of Procedure (78012)

   A clinical vignette and associated procedure narrative illustrating the scope and workflow of the uptake-only study category.

10. Clinical Example (78013) / Description of Procedure (78013)

    A clinical vignette and associated procedure narrative illustrating the scope and workflow of the imaging-only study category.

11. Clinical Example (78014) / Description of Procedure (78014)

    A clinical vignette and associated procedure narrative illustrating the scope and workflow of the combined imaging and uptake study category.