78018 Thyroid met imaging body
Also known as: thyroid whole body scan, total body thyroid imaging
Thyroid metabolic imaging including whole body imaging assessment performed with nuclear medicine techniques.
In Plain Language
full body thyroid scan; whole body thyroid imaging
Clinical Context
Extended imaging to detect thyroid cancer metastases or ectopic thyroid tissue throughout the body. Essential in thyroid cancer follow-up and staging.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 0.84 |
| Total RVU | 0.84 |
Est. Medicare Payment
National estimate based on 2026 CMS PFS Conversion Factor ($33.40). Actual payment varies by locality (GPCI adjustment).
Billing & Documentation
Radiology codes require a written order, clinical indication, and a formal interpretation report. The professional component (modifier -26) and technical component (modifier -TC) may be billed separately.
How This Code Compares
With a work RVU of 0.84, this code ranks in the 53rd percentile among Radiology codes — 1.0x the median (0.81). The highest wRVU in this category is 11.57.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 78018?
CPT 78018 (Thyroid met imaging body) is a Radiology code. Thyroid metabolic imaging including whole body imaging assessment performed with nuclear medicine techniques.
Who uses CPT code 78018?
CPT 78018 is used by Nuclear Medicine, Oncology, Radiology. Extended imaging to detect thyroid cancer metastases or ectopic thyroid tissue throughout the body. Essential in thyroid cancer follow-up and staging.
When is CPT 78018 used?
Extended imaging to detect thyroid cancer metastases or ectopic thyroid tissue throughout the body. Essential in thyroid cancer follow-up and staging.
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CPT® is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association. Data sourced from CMS Physician Fee Schedule RVU26A. Descriptions, synonyms, and clinical context are original content by RVU Edge.