© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
The procedure described by CPT® Code 78201 involves liver imaging using scintigraphy, which is a nuclear medicine technique that utilizes a radiolabeled isotope tracer, specifically 99mTc-sulfur colloid. This imaging method is primarily employed to assess the liver's size and to identify various abnormalities such as tumors, abscesses, hematomas, or cysts. Additionally, it plays a crucial role in monitoring blood circulation within the liver. The liver, located in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen, is a vital organ responsible for several key functions, including the production of bile, metabolism of nutrients, detoxification of drugs and toxins from the bloodstream, and the synthesis of specific proteins essential for blood plasma and clotting regulation. The liver's structure consists of two main lobes, which are further divided into smaller lobules interconnected by a network of ducts that facilitate the drainage of bile into larger ducts, ultimately leading to the hepatic duct. Bile, produced by the liver, contains enzymes that aid in the breakdown of fats and assist in the transport of waste materials to the gallbladder and duodenum. During the imaging procedure, an intravenous line is established to administer the radiolabeled tracer, followed by a waiting period before the patient is positioned on the imaging table. A gamma camera is then placed over the upper right abdomen to capture images of the liver. The scanning process occurs at specific intervals, during which the radioactive energy emitted from the liver is detected and converted into visual images. It is important to note that for imaging that includes vascular flow assessment, CPT® Code 78202 is utilized instead. The liver's highly vascular nature, characterized by the portal vein and hepatic artery, means that any compromise in one vessel can significantly affect the blood flow in adjacent vessels. After the imaging is completed, the physician interprets the scintigraphy results and generates a comprehensive written report detailing the findings.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The liver imaging procedure using CPT® Code 78201 is indicated for the following conditions:
The liver imaging procedure using CPT® Code 78201 involves several key steps that ensure accurate imaging of the liver. First, an intravenous line is established in the patient's arm to facilitate the administration of the radiolabeled isotope tracer, 99mTc-sulfur colloid. This tracer is essential for the scintigraphy process as it allows for the visualization of liver function and structure. After the tracer is injected, there is a prescribed waiting period during which the tracer circulates through the bloodstream and is taken up by the liver. Following this interval, the patient is positioned on the imaging table, and a gamma camera is placed over the upper right abdomen, where the liver is located. The gamma camera is designed to detect the radioactive energy emitted from the liver as the tracer accumulates in the organ. Scanning is then performed at specific intervals to capture images of the liver. These images are generated based on the radioactive emissions, which are converted into visual representations of the liver's structure and function. The physician overseeing the procedure will interpret the scintigraphy results, analyzing the images for any abnormalities or changes in liver size and blood flow. Finally, a comprehensive written report is produced, detailing the findings of the imaging study.
After the completion of the liver imaging procedure using CPT® Code 78201, patients may be monitored for a short period to ensure there are no immediate adverse reactions to the radiolabeled tracer. Generally, there are no specific post-procedure care requirements, and patients can resume their normal activities unless otherwise instructed by their physician. It is important for patients to follow any additional guidelines provided by the healthcare provider, especially regarding hydration or any follow-up appointments to discuss the results of the imaging study. The physician will review the findings from the scintigraphy and may recommend further diagnostic tests or treatments based on the results obtained from the imaging.
| Short Descr | LIVER IMAGING STATIC ONLY | Medium Descr | LIVER IMAGING STATIC ONLY | Long Descr | Liver imaging; static only | Status Code | Active Code | Global Days | XXX - Global Concept Does Not Apply | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 1 - Diagnostic Tests for Radiology Services | Multiple Procedures (51) | 0 - No payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply. | Bilateral Surgery (50) | 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does NOT apply. | Physician Supervisions | 09 - Concept does not apply. | Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) | 0 - Payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure... | Co-Surgeons (62) | 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Team Surgery (66) | 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Diagnostic Imaging Family | 99 - Concept Does Not Apply | APC Status Indicator | Procedure or Service, Not Discounted when Multiple | ASC Payment Indicator | Radiology service paid separately when provided integral to a surgical procedure on ASC list; payment based on OPPS relative payment weight. | Type of Service (TOS) | 4 - Diagnostic Radiology | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | I1E - Standard imaging - nuclear medicine | MUE | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 210 - Other radioisotope scan |
| 26 | Professional component: certain procedures are a combination of a physician or other qualified health care professional component and a technical component. when the physician or other qualified health care professional component is reported separately, the service may be identified by adding modifier 26 to the usual procedure number. | 59 | Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25. | X5 | Diagnostic services requested by another clinician: for reporting services by a clinician who furnishes care to the patient only as requested by another clinician or subsequent and related services requested by another clinician; this modifier is reported for patient relationships that may not be adequately captured by the above alternative categories; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the radiologist's interpretation of an imaging study requested by another clinician | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service | 76 | Repeat procedure or service by same physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was repeated by the same physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 76 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service. | ME | The order for this service adheres to appropriate use criteria in the clinical decision support mechanism consulted by the ordering professional | MG | The order for this service does not have applicable appropriate use criteria in the qualified clinical decision support mechanism consulted by the ordering professional | MH | Unknown if ordering professional consulted a clinical decision support mechanism for this service, related information was not provided to the furnishing professional or provider | TC | Technical component; under certain circumstances, a charge may be made for the technical component alone; under those circumstances the technical component charge is identified by adding modifier 'tc' to the usual procedure number; technical component charges are institutional charges and not billed separately by physicians; however, portable x-ray suppliers only bill for technical component and should utilize modifier tc; the charge data from portable x-ray suppliers will then be used to build customary and prevailing profiles | X4 | Episodic/focused services: for reporting services by clinicians who provide focused care on particular types of treatment limited to a defined period and circumstance; the patient has a problem, acute or chronic, that will be treated with surgery, radiation, or some other type of generally time-limited intervention; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the orthopedic surgeon performing a knee replacement and seeing the patient through the postoperative period | XE | Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure |
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| 2025-01-01 | Changed | Short Description changed. |
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |