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CPT 78598: Conducting a nuclear medicine study to assess lung ventilation and blood flow along with circulation - Prior Authorization and Price

CPT code 78598 is Conducting a nuclear medicine study to assess lung ventilation and blood flow along with circulation. See what Aetna, Anthem BCBS, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare look for before approving it, the conditions their guidelines cover, and what it typically costs.

CPT 78598

Conducting a nuclear medicine study to assess lung ventilation and blood flow along with circulation.

Nuclear Medicine
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Payer guidelines that apply

PayerReviewed usingGuidelineSections
Aetna eviCore
Chest Imaging Guidelines 1.0.2026, effective Feb 3, 2026
Pediatric Chest Imaging Guidelines 2.0.2026, effective Sep 1, 2026
 5 that name this code
Anthem BCBS Carelon
Nuclear medicine imaging effective Sep 19, 2026
 8 that name this code
Cigna eviCore
Pediatric Cardiac Imaging Guidelines 1.0.2026, effective Feb 3, 2026
 3 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 5 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 Conducting a nuclear medicine study to assess lung ventilation and blood flow along with circulation. Each has its own criteria for when the study is considered appropriate.

  • Congenital heart disease Anthem BCBS
  • Congenital pulmonary airway malformation (Pediatric only) Anthem BCBS
  • Congenital thoracic anomalies Anthem BCBS
  • Lung cancer, small cell and non-small cell Anthem BCBS
  • Malignant pleural mesothelioma Anthem BCBS
  • Perioperative evaluation, including evaluation prior to lung transplant Anthem BCBS
  • Pulmonary embolism Anthem BCBS
  • Pulmonary hypertension Anthem BCBS

Typical price

Commercial insurance, median
$1,005
Middle half of rates: $610 to $1,683
Medicare, hospital outpatient
$555
Facility payment
Medicare, physician fee schedule
$266
National, non-facility

Commercial figures come from negotiated rates published by 763 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 Conducting a nuclear medicine study to assess lung ventilation and blood flow along with circulation change.

Frequently asked questions

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