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CPT 78606: Conducting a nuclear medicine study of the brain and its blood flow with four or more static views - Prior Authorization and Price

CPT code 78606 is Conducting a nuclear medicine study of the brain and its blood flow with four or more static views. See what Aetna, Anthem BCBS, UnitedHealthcare look for before approving it, the conditions their guidelines cover, and what it typically costs.

CPT 78606

Conducting a nuclear medicine study of the brain and its blood flow with four or more static views.

Nuclear Medicine
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Payer guidelines that apply

PayerReviewed usingGuidelineSections
Aetna eviCore
Head Imaging Guidelines 2.0.2026, effective Sep 1, 2026
Pediatric Head Imaging Guidelines 2.0.2026, effective Sep 1, 2026
 2 that name this code
Anthem BCBS Carelon
Nuclear medicine imaging effective Sep 19, 2026
 3 that name this code
Cigna eviCore Current guideline None found
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 2 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 of the brain and its blood flow with four or more static views. Each has its own criteria for when the study is considered appropriate.

  • Intracranial mass Anthem BCBS
  • Seizure, refractory Anthem BCBS
  • Stroke or transient ischemic attack Anthem BCBS
  • Nuclear Medicine Aetna · UnitedHealthcare

Typical price

Commercial insurance, median
$834
Middle half of rates: $577 to $1,292
Medicare, hospital outpatient
$555
Facility payment
Medicare, physician fee schedule
$289
National, non-facility

Commercial figures come from negotiated rates published by 738 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 of the brain and its blood flow with four or more static views change.

Frequently asked questions

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