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CPT 78278 Fee Schedule

Last Verified: September 2026

Healthcare providers use this code to document and receive reimbursement for visits that address moderate-level medical decision-making, often including multiple diagnoses or prescription management.

Imaging For Digestive Bleeding, During A Scan Of The Stomach And Intestines A Radioactive Substance Is Given By Mouth Or Into A Vein. The Substance Highlights Areas Of The Stomach And Intestine On Images.
Key FactDetail
Service Type

Radiology Procedures

Nuclear Medicine Procedures

Common Place of Service

21 - Inpatient Hospital

22 - On Campus Outpatient Hospital

Common Modifiers

None

26 - Professional component

GC - Service performed by resident under supervision

Complexity LevelModerate
Medicare Fee ScheduleView Medicare rates for 78278
Medicaid Fee ScheduleView Medicaid rates for 78278

National average reimbursement for CPT 78278 by major payers:

bcbs

$378.34

uhc

$389.25

aetna

$401.41

cigna

$472.19

Compare published rates across providers.

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CPT 78278
5 of 25 sample ratesHigher to lower in this preview
  1. Aaron Askew

    The Orthopedic And Neurosurgical Center Of The Cascades

    OROrthopaedic Trauma PhysicianNPI 1366428401Tax ID 93-1261079

    $713.86Published rate
  2. John Demarino

    Northern Arizona Healthcare Corporation

    CTAnesthesiology PhysicianNPI 1063415982Tax ID 74-2410946

    $456.01Published rate
  3. Baycare Home Care, Inc.

    Baycare Home Care Inc

    FLHome Health AgencyNPI 1952309171Tax ID 59-3582520

    $420.14Published rate
  4. Laurie Mckinney-Hellman

    Northern Arizona Healthcare Corporation

    AZSpeech-Language PathologistNPI 1487773982Tax ID 74-2410946

    $83.98Published rate
  5. Jack Short

    Northern Arizona Healthcare Corporation

    AZCritical Care Medicine (Internal Medicine) PhysicianNPI 1346650942Tax ID 74-2410946

    $42.63Published rate

National sample. Rates vary by location, specialty, and contract.

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CPT 78278 vs. Other Nuclear Medicine Procedures Codes

The CPT 78278 code is part of the Radiology Procedures services used for Nuclear Medicine Procedures. It represents a moderate-complexity encounter and is one of several codes that vary based on time spent, level of medical decision-making, and documentation requirements.

The CPT 78278 code involves more provider time and moderate medical decision-making, unlike lower-level codes that require less time and simpler assessments. It typically includes multiple diagnoses, medication management, or test interpretation, leading to higher reimbursement and more detailed documentation requirements.

CodeComplexityDescription
78278-CPTModerateImaging For Digestive Bleeding, During A Scan Of The Stomach And Intestines A Radioactive Substance Is Given By Mouth Or Into A Vein. The Substance Highlights Areas Of The Stomach And Intestine On Images.
78282-CPTModerateExam Of Stool For Protein, A Radioactive Material Is Injected Into A Vein And Subsequent Stool Samples Are Collected. The Test Measures The Amount Of Protein That Is Not Properly Absorbed Through The Intestinal Tract.
78290-CPTModerateScan Of Intestines, A Radioactive Substance Is Given By Mouth Or Iv. This Highlights The Intestines So That The Area May Be Seen More Easily.
78291-CPTModerateCheck Flow Through Shunt, A Radioactive Substance Is Given By Mouth Or Iv To Highlight A Passage (Shunt) Connecting A Blood Vessel To The Abdominal Cavity. The Area Is Scanned To View How Well Fluid Is Moving Through The Shunt.

What is a fee schedule?

A fee schedule is a list of fixed prices that healthcare providers charge for specific services, including CPT 78278. These prices vary depending on payer type (Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance), geographic location, and provider contracts.

Understanding the 78278 fee schedule helps patients estimate costs and providers optimize billing for accurate reimbursements.

Factors that affect fee schedules


Medicare & Medicaid Rates

Government-set reimbursement amounts


Private Insurance Rates

Negotiated rates between providers and insurance companies


Geographic Location

Costs may be higher in urban areas.


Provider Type

Hospital providers may have different rates than private practice.

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