Coding for a radiopharmaceutical with thyroid carcinoma metastases imaging and carcinoma metastases uptake

Q.

When we perform thyroid metastasis scans, can we report the radiopharmaceutical (RP) HCPCS code, along with CPT^® codes 78018 and 78020? 

A.

If thyroid carcinoma uptake is calculated along with a whole-body thyroid metastasis scan, then yes you can assign CPT codes 78018 and 78020. You can only code the RP HCPCS code if you are billing for the technical or global charge of the procedures. The codes and full description are as follows:

78018 Thyroid carcinoma metastases imaging; whole body

78020 Thyroid carcinoma metastases uptake (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)