C21 Planar Nuclear Medicine Imaging - Heart ICD-10-PCS
The C21 code range contains 9 ICD-10-PCS codes for Planar Nuclear Medicine Imaging procedures on the heart. 8 of the codes are billable and valid for inpatient claim submission in fiscal year 2026.
Root Operation Definition
Planar Nuclear Medicine Imaging: Introduction of radioactive materials into the body for single plane display of images developed from the capture of radioactive emissions.
Codes in the C21 Range 9 codes · 8 billable
- C21 Nuclear Medicine, Heart, Planar Nuclear Medicine ImagingNon-billable header
- C2161ZZ Planar Nuclear Medicine Imaging of Right and Left Heart using Technetium 99m (Tc-99m)
- C216YZZ Planar Nuclear Medicine Imaging of Right and Left Heart using Other Radionuclide
- C21G1ZZ Planar Nuclear Medicine Imaging of Myocardium using Technetium 99m (Tc-99m)
- C21GDZZ Planar Nuclear Medicine Imaging of Myocardium using Indium 111 (In-111)
- C21GSZZ Planar Nuclear Medicine Imaging of Myocardium using Thallium 201 (Tl-201)
- C21GYZZ Planar Nuclear Medicine Imaging of Myocardium using Other Radionuclide
- C21GZZZ Planar Nuclear Medicine Imaging of Myocardium
- C21YYZZ Planar Nuclear Medicine Imaging of Heart using Other Radionuclide
About the C21 Code Range
The ICD-10-PCS root operation Planar Nuclear Medicine Imaging (code C21) refers to a diagnostic procedure that uses radioactive substances to produce two-dimensional images of organs. This operation belongs to the Nuclear Medicine section and focuses on capturing functional information from specific body parts using radiotracers.
Within this classification, planar nuclear medicine imaging is commonly performed on the Heart and Myocardium. Codes such as C2161ZZ and C216YZZ indicate imaging of the right and left heart using specific radionuclides like Technetium 99m (Tc-99m) or other radionuclides. Similarly, codes like C21G1ZZ, C21GDZZ, and C21GSZZ denote planar imaging of the myocardium using different agents including Tc-99m, Indium 111 (In-111), and Thallium 201 (Tl-201). This category also covers generic entries when the radionuclide is not specified, offering flexibility in documenting these noninvasive functional studies. Proper coding with these planar nuclear medicine imaging codes ensures precise documentation of cardiac functional imaging procedures.
Questions About This Page
How many billable codes are in the C21 range?
Of the 9 codes in this range, 8 are billable and valid for inpatient claim submission from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. Table header codes group them but cannot be reported on claims.
What does the C21 range classify?
The range classifies Planar Nuclear Medicine Imaging procedures, introduction of radioactive materials into the body for single plane display of images developed from the capture of radioactive emissions, performed on the heart. Each code adds the body part, approach, device, and qualifier in characters four through seven, and links to its own reference page.
Related References
Source: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-PCS order file and code tables, effective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
