78582 Lung ventilat & perfus imaging
Also known as: V/Q scan, ventilation perfusion study
Lung ventilation and perfusion imaging performed simultaneously to assess both air movement and blood flow.
In Plain Language
lung breathing and blood flow test
Clinical Context
Comprehensive assessment of lung ventilation and perfusion for pulmonary embolism diagnosis and chronic lung disease evaluation.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 1.04 |
| Total RVU | 1.04 |
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 1.04, this code ranks in the 59th percentile among Radiology codes — 1.3x the median (0.81). The highest wRVU in this category is 11.57.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 78582?
CPT 78582 (Lung ventilat & perfus imaging) is a Radiology code. Lung ventilation and perfusion imaging performed simultaneously to assess both air movement and blood flow.
Who uses CPT code 78582?
CPT 78582 is used by Nuclear Medicine, Pulmonology, Radiology. Comprehensive assessment of lung ventilation and perfusion for pulmonary embolism diagnosis and chronic lung disease evaluation.
When is CPT 78582 used?
Comprehensive assessment of lung ventilation and perfusion for pulmonary embolism diagnosis and chronic lung disease evaluation.
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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.