Question:
Is there a code for rest only, thallium heart perfusion? Sometimes we cannot perform the stress portion of a stress test and do the rest study first.
Answer:
Yes, there are myocardial perfusion scan codes for single studies (rest only, or stress only) or multiple studies (rest and stress, or rest and redistribution). The code you choose is based on whether one or multiple studies are done, and whether or not SPECT is done. A single study with SPECT would be 78451, and a Planar single study would be 78453.
78451Myocardial perfusion imaging, tomographic (SPECT) (including attenuation correction, qualitative or quantitative wall motion, ejection fraction by first pass or gated technique, additional quantification, when performed); single study, at rest or stress (exercise or pharmacologic)
78453Myocardial perfusion imaging, planar (including qualitative or quantitative wall motion, ejection fraction by first pass or gated technique, additional quantification, when performed); single study, at rest or stress (exercise or pharmacologic)