Coding for parathyroid planar imaging without SPECT or SPECT/CT

Q.

I’ve been told that CPT^® code 78070 was discontinued. We performed a parathyroid scan that was reported as 78071 but SPECT was not done, only a planar scan. How should we report this, should we add modifier 52 to 78071?

A.

CPT code 78070 is a valid code. If you performed parathyroid planar imaging without SPECT or SPECT/CT, you cannot report one of the other codes and add modifier 52. 

The code and full description are as follows:

78070 Parathyroid planar imaging (including subtraction, when performed)