Coding for PET/MR hybrid medical imaging

Q.

Do you have any guidance on how to code a PET/MR (hybrid medical imaging technology that incorporates PET and MRI into a single device) since there is no CPT^® code at the moment?   

A.

The current recommendation from the specialty societies is to report the appropriate PET CPT^® code and the appropriate MRI code plus the unlisted 78999 for the fusion, assuming that both the PET and the MRI were full and complete studies. If you only have MRI for anatomic fusion, I would report the appropriate PET code with an unlisted code for the fusion (78999). 

As always, be certain to check with each payor for their coding requirements. 

The code and full description are as follows:

78999  Unlisted miscellaneous procedure, diagnostic nuclear medicine