Why Think Before Reporting 78070 With 78803

By Author: Julia Rose
Total Articles: 89
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CCI edits do not bundle SPECT (78803) along with planar (78070) parathyroid imaging codes; however experts often tell you not to code the two together for SPRCT and planar parathyroid imaging on the same date.


You should add some method to this madness by looking at the information provided by two coding resources:


SNM singles out 78803
SNM's online Practice Management Coding Corner features a Question &Answer that urges you to report 78070 (Parathyroid imaging) for planar imaging alone, however 78803 for parathyroid SPECT imaging with or without planar.


CCI makes the case for SPECT code
Although you will not find any specific edit bundling 78070 and 78803, CCI does address the SPECT/planar issue in the CCI manual.

The manual's chapter 9, section E.2, explains that you may not report a SPECT study and planar study of the same limited area as Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) studies stand for an enhanced methodology over standard planar nuclear ...
... imaging. When a limited anatomic area is studied, there's no additional information procured by obtaining both planar and SPECT studies.


Tip: The manual shows you may report both planar and SPECT codes only when the size of the scanned area makes both sets important. What's more, keep an eye out for vascular flow studies. If the radiologist carries out planar vascular flow studies alongside SPECT studies, you should go for the vascular flow combined code, and not the flow, planar, and SPECT studies independently.


To get more radiology coding tips, sign up for the upcoming radiology coding conference taking place at Orlando, FL this December.