© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
The gastroesophageal reflux study, identified by CPT® Code 78262, is a diagnostic imaging procedure primarily utilized in infants and children to evaluate gastroesophageal reflux (GER). This condition is characterized by the abnormal retrograde movement of gastric contents, including acid and other secretions, from the stomach back into the esophagus. The study employs a radiolabeled isotope tracer, specifically 99mTc-sulfur colloid, which is a safe and effective radioactive substance used to visualize the movement of materials within the gastrointestinal tract. During the procedure, the isotope tracer is mixed with a liquid, commonly milk or orange juice, which the patient ingests. The patient is then positioned on an imaging table, with a gamma camera strategically placed over the anterior chest and abdomen to capture detailed images. Scanning occurs at predetermined intervals, allowing for the observation of the tracer's transit through the esophagus into the stomach, and subsequently monitoring for any reflux back into the esophagus. In cases where pulmonary aspiration is a concern, additional imaging of the lungs may be performed to assess any potential complications. The emitted radioactive energy from the tracer is transformed into images that can provide a semi-quantitative assessment of the reflux volume. Following the completion of the study, a physician interprets the results and generates a comprehensive written report detailing the findings, which is essential for guiding further clinical management of the patient.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The gastroesophageal reflux study (CPT® Code 78262) is indicated for the evaluation of conditions related to gastroesophageal reflux. The following are specific indications for performing this study:
The gastroesophageal reflux study involves several key procedural steps to ensure accurate imaging and assessment of reflux. The following outlines the detailed steps of the procedure:
After the gastroesophageal reflux study is completed, the patient may be monitored briefly to ensure there are no immediate adverse reactions to the tracer. Typically, there are no specific post-procedure care requirements, and patients can resume normal activities. The physician will compile a written report detailing the findings of the study, which will be communicated to the referring physician for further evaluation and management of the patient's condition. Follow-up care may be determined based on the results of the study and the clinical context of the patient's symptoms.
| Short Descr | GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX STD | Medium Descr | GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX STUDY | Long Descr | Gastroesophageal reflux study | 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 | 209 - Radioisotope scan and function studies |
| 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. | 52 | Reduced services: under certain circumstances a service or procedure is partially reduced or eliminated at the discretion of the physician or other qualified health care professional. under these circumstances the service provided can be identified by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 52, signifying that the service is reduced. this provides a means of reporting reduced services without disturbing the identification of the basic service. note: for hospital outpatient reporting of a previously scheduled procedure/service that is partially reduced or cancelled as a result of extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well-being of the patient prior to or after administration of anesthesia, see modifiers 73 and 74 (see modifiers approved for asc hospital outpatient use). | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | 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 |
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| 2025-01-01 | Changed | Short Description changed. |
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |