CPT 79445Radiology

Nuclear rx intra-arterial

CPT code 79445 covers intra-arterial nuclear medicine therapy, where radioactive material is delivered directly into an artery to treat tumors or other conditions. This specialized procedure involves injecting therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals through a catheter placed in a specific blood vessel.

Showing rates for

National Average

Base Medicare rate

$105.45

This calculator gives a typical-case estimate using standard Medicare modifier rules. Actual payment depends on payer policies, documentation, code-specific CMS status indicators, and locality. Verify before billing.

RVU breakdown

Work RVU

2.4

PE RVU (NF)

0.7

MP RVU

0.16

Total RVU

3.26

Conversion factor: 32.3465 · Source: CMS MPFS RVU25A · Confidence: High

NCCI bundling edits

Loading bundling edits…

Billing tips

Bill 79445 separately from the arterial catheterization procedure (e.g., 36247 for selective hepatic catheterization), as the nuclear medicine therapeutic administration is distinct from vascular access
Impact: Ensures capture of full reimbursement; arterial access codes may add $200-400 to total procedure payment
Document the exact radiopharmaceutical used, dose administered in millicuries or GBq, and target arterial territory in the operative/procedure note to support medical necessity
Impact: Reduces denial risk by 60-70% and supports audit defense for the $105.45 Medicare payment
Verify prior authorization requirements before scheduling, as most payers require pre-approval for intra-arterial radiopharmaceutical therapy due to high drug costs
Impact: Prevents complete claim denial; radiopharmaceutical costs alone can exceed $20,000-30,000
Bill radiopharmaceutical supply separately using appropriate HCPCS codes (e.g., A9606 for Yttrium-90 microspheres) in addition to the administration code 79445
Impact: Captures drug costs typically $20,000-35,000 beyond the $105.45 administration fee
Ensure radiation oncology or nuclear medicine physician documentation includes treatment planning, dose calculation methodology, and radiation safety protocols
Impact: Critical for medical necessity validation; inadequate documentation results in 40-50% denial rate
Code the primary diagnosis as the specific malignancy being treated (not 'encounter for radiotherapy') to establish medical necessity for intra-arterial route
Proper diagnosis coding reduces denial probability by 30-40% and supports payment consistency

Live Field Datano reports yet

Real billers contribute denial patterns and appeal strategies for this code. Once 5+ reports come in, you’ll see live aggregated data here — the only place this exists, free.

Working with CPT 79445?

Get the free Revenue Protection Toolkit — the denial triggers, modifier pitfalls, and bundling conflicts that quietly cost you reimbursement. Instant download.

Help build the field knowledge

MedPayIQ gets smarter as billers contribute. If you've had this code denied, share what happened so others learn from it. Anonymous, no patient info.

Related actions

Frequently asked questions

What is the Medicare reimbursement rate for CPT code 79445 in 2025?

The 2025 Medicare national average reimbursement for CPT 79445 is $105.45 for both facility and non-facility settings. This rate is based on 3.26 total RVUs multiplied by the 2025 conversion factor of 32.3465.

Can CPT 79445 be billed with arterial catheterization codes on the same day?

Yes, CPT 79445 should be billed separately from arterial catheterization codes (such as 36247 for selective hepatic catheterization) as they represent distinct services. Use modifier 59 on 79445 to indicate the nuclear medicine therapeutic administration is separate from the vascular access procedure and prevent inappropriate bundling.

What is the difference between CPT 79445 and other nuclear medicine therapy codes?

CPT 79445 specifically covers intra-arterial administration of therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals, while other codes in the 79xxx series cover different routes: 79101 for intravenous, 79200 for intracavitary, and 79403 for interstitial radiocolloid administration. The route of administration determines the appropriate code selection.

How do I bill for the radiopharmaceutical drug used in CPT 79445?

The radiopharmaceutical itself is billed separately from CPT 79445 using specific HCPCS codes. For example, Yttrium-90 microspheres are reported with A9606. The 79445 code covers only the professional service of administering the therapeutic agent intra-arterially, not the drug cost.

What documentation is required to support billing CPT 79445?

Required documentation includes the nuclear medicine physician's procedure note with specific radiopharmaceutical details (name, dose, lot number), target arterial territory, catheter position verification, dose calculation methodology, administration technique, post-procedure imaging, radiation safety protocols, and medical necessity justification for the intra-arterial route.

Does CPT 79445 require prior authorization from insurance?

Most commercial payers and Medicare Advantage plans require prior authorization for CPT 79445 due to the high cost of therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals and the specialized nature of intra-arterial nuclear therapy. Traditional Medicare typically does not require prior authorization but does require medical necessity documentation.

What are the work RVUs for CPT code 79445?

CPT 79445 has 2.4 work RVUs, 0.7 practice expense RVUs (both facility and non-facility), and 0.16 malpractice RVUs, for a total of 3.26 RVUs in 2025. These values reflect the physician work, overhead costs, and liability associated with intra-arterial therapeutic radiopharmaceutical administration.