A9597, Positron emission tomography radiopharmaceutical, diagnostic, for tumor
HCPCS/CPT
Prior Authorization
No Prior Auth Required
Code is covered without prior authorization (high confidence)
Medicare Pricing
Work RVU
0.00
Facility
N/A
Non-Facility
N/A
Documentation Required
- Medical records must be maintained and available upon request, be legible, include complete patient identification and dates of service, and contain the legible signature of the physician or non‑physician practitioner responsible for care.
- The submitted medical record must support the selected ICD‑10‑CM diagnosis code(s) and the CPT/HCPCS code billed must accurately describe the service performed.
- When FDG PET is performed in the context of a CMS‑approved practical clinical trial using a specific protocol, the claim should be reported with modifier Q0.
- When only the technical or professional component is performed, report the PET procedure with modifier TC (technical) or 26 (professional), respectively.
Key Coverage Criteria
- FDG PET (CPT 78608 / HCPCS A9552) is covered to differentiate Alzheimer's disease (AD) from frontotemporal dementia (FTD) in patients with a recent dementia diagnosis who have documented cognitive decline for at least 6 months and who meet diagnostic criteria for both AD and FTD.
- FDG PET is covered for patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or early dementia only when performed as part of a CMS‑approved practical clinical trial (coverage with evidence development).
- FDG PET (CPT 78608) is covered for intractable seizures only when used as part of a pre‑surgical evaluation for seizure focus localization.
- FDG PET (CPT 78608 / tracer A9552) is covered to differentiate Alzheimer's disease (AD) from Fronto-temporal dementia (FTD) in patients recently diagnosed with dementia who have documented cognitive decline of at least 6 months and who meet diagnostic criteria for both AD and FTD.
- FDG PET (CPT 78608) is covered for intractable seizures only when used as part of a pre-surgical evaluation.
- FDG PET is covered for patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or early dementia only when performed within a CMS-approved practical clinical trial following an approved protocol (report claims with Q0 modifier).
4 Active Policies
A59049, Billing and Coding: NCD Coding Article for Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scans Used for Non-Oncologic Conditions
J9
A53134, Billing and Coding: NCD Coding Article for Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scans Used for Non-Oncologic Conditions
JL
CARELON-oncologic-imaging-2025-11-15, Oncologic Imaging
CARELON-oncologic-imaging-2026-04-04, Oncologic Imaging
Related Codes
Have a follow-up question?
Ask Verity about documentation requirements, denial risks, or coverage in your state.