79005 Nuclear prescription oral administration
Also known as: oral nuclear therapy, radioactive therapy by mouth
Nuclear medicine therapeutic treatment with radiopharmaceutical administered orally for systemic therapeutic effect.
In Plain Language
radioactive medicine pill; nuclear therapy swallowed
Clinical Context
Oral administration of therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals, most commonly radioactive iodine (I-131) for hyperthyroidism or thyroid cancer treatment.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 1.76 |
| Total RVU | 1.76 |
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 1.76, this code ranks in the 85th percentile among Radiology codes — 2.2x the median (0.81). The highest wRVU in this category is 11.57.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 79005?
CPT 79005 (Nuclear prescription oral administration) is a Radiology code. Nuclear medicine therapeutic treatment with radiopharmaceutical administered orally for systemic therapeutic effect.
Who uses CPT code 79005?
CPT 79005 is used by Nuclear Medicine, Endocrinology, Oncology. Oral administration of therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals, most commonly radioactive iodine (I-131) for hyperthyroidism or thyroid cancer treatment.
When is CPT 79005 used?
Oral administration of therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals, most commonly radioactive iodine (I-131) for hyperthyroidism or thyroid cancer treatment.
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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.