Central Nervous System (C0) ICD-10-PCS
The C0 body system covers Nuclear Medicine procedures on central nervous system, with 48 ICD-10-PCS codes across 4 root operations, 40 of them billable in fiscal year 2026. Each root operation defines a distinct procedural objective, and the info icons show the official definition with a preview of the codes inside.
Root Operations in This Body System 4 operations · 48 codes
| Chars 1–3 | Root Operation | Codes | Billable |
|---|---|---|---|
| C01 | Planar Nuclear Medicine ImagingIntroduction of radioactive materials into the body for single plane display of images developed from the capture of radioactive emissions | 12 | 10 |
| C02 | Tomographic (Tomo) Nuclear Medicine ImagingIntroduction of radioactive materials into the body for three dimensional display of images developed from the capture of radioactive emissions | 16 | 14 |
| C03 | Positron Emission Tomographic (PET) ImagingIntroduction of radioactive materials into the body for three dimensional display of images developed from the simultaneous capture, 180 degrees apart, of radioactive emissions | 12 | 10 |
| C05 | Nonimaging Nuclear Medicine ProbeIntroduction of radioactive materials into the body for the study of distribution and fate of certain substances by the detection of radioactive emissions; or, alternatively, measurement of absorption of radioactive emissions from an external source | 8 | 6 |
The info icon shows the official root operation definition and previews the codes in that range.
About the C0 Body System
The ICD-10-PCS root operation C0 in the Nuclear Medicine classification involves procedures that use radioactive materials for imaging or diagnostic evaluation of the Central Nervous System. These procedures help visualize or study brain function and structure through emitted radiation captured externally.
Specifically, Central Nervous System nuclear medicine procedures include various imaging techniques. Planar Nuclear Medicine Imaging (C01) produces single-plane images by detecting radioactive emissions. More advanced methods like Tomographic Nuclear Medicine Imaging (C02) offer three-dimensional views by assembling multiple image slices. Positron Emission Tomographic (PET) Imaging (C03) further refines this by simultaneously capturing emissions from opposite angles to create detailed 3D images. Additionally, the Nonimaging Nuclear Medicine Probe procedure (C05) involves using radioactive tracers for functional studies without forming images, tracking substance distribution or absorption. These codes are critical for documenting precise nuclear medicine evaluations of the brain and central nervous system.
Questions About This Page
How many codes are in the C0 body system?
The C0 body system contains 48 ICD-10-PCS codes in FY 2026, organized into 4 root operations. 40 of them are billable on inpatient claims.
What is a root operation?
The root operation is the third character of every ICD-10-PCS code and names the objective of the procedure. Drainage takes fluid out, Excision cuts out a portion of a body part, and Resection removes all of one. Picking the right root operation is the central skill of PCS coding, so each one above carries its official CMS definition.
Related References
Source: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-PCS order file and code tables, effective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
