Radiology: Providers Celebrate CPT Codes For PET Scans

Subscribe or sign in to view the full article.

Note:  The following article synopsis was NOT provided by AAPC. It was created by Find-A-Code/innoviHealth.

Article Overview

This article covers CMS’s decision to replace a set of PET scan HCPCS codes with CPT codes, along with clarification about when the change becomes effective and how payment guidance is being handled. It is relevant to radiology and nuclear medicine billing professionals who need to follow Medicare policy updates, track local coverage changes, and understand the scope of CMS transmittal guidance and anticipated follow-up clarification.

Why This Topic Matters

PET scan billing and coverage changed under CMS guidance, affecting how providers report services and how payers may apply policies. The article helps coding and reimbursement staff understand the transition period, the role of CMS transmittals, and where additional instructions may be issued.

What You Will Learn

  • How CMS updated PET scan reporting from HCPCS codes to CPT codes
  • What the article says about effective dates and timing of the transition
  • How payer policies and coverage guidance may follow the code change
  • What parts of the payment guidance were addressed versus deferred for later clarification

Who Should Read This

  • Radiology coders
  • Nuclear medicine billing staff
  • Revenue cycle professionals
  • Hospital reimbursement specialists
  • Medicare policy monitors

Codes Discussed

  • CPT: 78811
  • CPT: 78812
  • CPT: 78813
  • CPT: 78814
  • CPT: 78815
  • CPT: 78816
  • CPT: 78459
  • CPT: 78491
  • CPT: 78492
  • CPT: 78608
  • CPT: 78609

Code Ranges Discussed

  • CPT: 78811-78816
  • CPT: 78491-78492
  • CPT: 78608-78609

Subscribe or sign in to view the full article.

Keep pace with evolving Medicare regulations — and onboard your team — with timely analysis of critical updates interpreted in an easy-to-follow, easy-to-apply format. Your subscription to TCI's Medicare Compliance & Reimbursement Alert will equip you to navigate code and guideline changes, CCI edits, and revisions to modifiers, payer policies, the fee schedule, OIG target areas, and more.

  • Current newsletters added each month
  • Fully searchable archives - over 4200 articles
  • ALL years/issues back to 2003 organized by year and issue
  • Codes mentioned in articles are linked to Code Information pages
  • Code Information pages link back to related articles

This feature is currently unavailable for online purchase. For more information, please call 801-770-4203 or Contact Us.

Thank you for choosing Find-A-Code, please Sign In to remove ads.

Aimee- AI -powered coding assistant - Try it now for Free Would you like Aimee - AI
to help you with this?