What should be in the clinical notes before requesting Performing nuclear imaging of heart muscle function at rest and during stress with SPECT (CPT 78451)?

Reviewers look for a recent office visit that documents the symptoms and how long they have lasted, exam findings, results of any earlier imaging, treatments already tried and how the patient responded, and the specific question the study is expected to answer. The diagnosis code on the request should match what the notes describe.

CPT 78451: Performing nuclear imaging of heart muscle function at rest and during stress with SPECT - Prior Authorization and Price

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CPT 78451

Performing nuclear imaging of heart muscle function at rest and during stress with SPECT.

Nuclear Medicine

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Payer guidelines that apply

Payer	Reviewed using	Guideline	Sections
Aetna	eviCore	Cardiac Imaging Guidelines 2.0.2026, effective Sep 1, 2026 Pediatric Cardiac Imaging Guidelines effective Feb 3, 2026	6 that name this code
Anthem BCBS	Carelon	Imaging of the heart effective Nov 15, 2025	4 that name this code
Cigna	eviCore	Cardiac Imaging Guidelines 2.0.2026, effective Sep 1, 2026 Pediatric Cardiac Imaging Guidelines 1.0.2026, effective Feb 3, 2026	6 that name this code
Medicare	CMS	—	None found
Original Medicare does not run a prior authorization program for outpatient imaging; claims are judged against the coverage policies above. Medicare Advantage plans set their own prior authorization rules.
UnitedHealthcare	UnitedHealthcare / eviCore	Commercial and Exchange Cardiovascular and Radiology Imaging Guidelines 09.2026, effective Sep 1, 2026	6 that name this code

Guidelines collected from the payers' published documents on September 29, 2026. Payers revise these documents during the year. Open the guideline link to confirm the current version before you submit.

Conditions the guidelines address for this study

These are the clinical situations where payer guidelines discuss Performing nuclear imaging of heart muscle function at rest and during stress with SPECT. Each has its own criteria for when the study is considered appropriate.

Cardiac Imaging in Transplants Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Established flow-limiting CAD in asymptomatic patients Anthem BCBS
Established or suspected CAD Anthem BCBS
Indications are organized as follows Anthem BCBS
Suspected CAD in symptomatic patients who have not had evaluation for CAD within the preceding 60 days Anthem BCBS

Typical price

Commercial insurance, median

$1,833

Middle half of rates: $1,200 to $2,898

Medicare, hospital outpatient

$1,323

Facility payment

Medicare, physician fee schedule

$313

National, non-facility

Commercial figures come from negotiated rates published by 933 hospitals; Medicare figures from CMS fee schedules. Rates vary widely by hospital and plan. Pricing data from CenterIQ.

Get notified when the rules for this study change

Payers update imaging guidelines several times a year. We will email you when the criteria for Performing nuclear imaging of heart muscle function at rest and during stress with SPECT change.

CPT 78451: Performing nuclear imaging of heart muscle function at rest and during stress with SPECT - Prior Authorization and Price

Payer guidelines that apply

Conditions the guidelines address for this study

Typical price

Get notified when the rules for this study change

Frequently asked questions

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