Skin, Subcutaneous Tissue and Breast (CH) ICD-10-PCS
The CH body system covers Nuclear Medicine procedures on skin, subcutaneous tissue and breast, with 44 ICD-10-PCS codes across 2 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 2 operations · 44 codes
| Chars 1–3 | Root Operation | Codes | Billable |
|---|---|---|---|
| CH1 | Planar Nuclear Medicine ImagingIntroduction of radioactive materials into the body for single plane display of images developed from the capture of radioactive emissions | 22 | 20 |
| CH2 | Tomographic (Tomo) Nuclear Medicine ImagingIntroduction of radioactive materials into the body for three dimensional display of images developed from the capture of radioactive emissions | 22 | 20 |
The info icon shows the official root operation definition and previews the codes in that range.
About the CH Body System
The ICD-10-PCS root operation CH in the Skin, Subcutaneous Tissue, and Breast body system refers to nuclear medicine imaging procedures that involve the introduction of radioactive materials into the body to capture diagnostic images.
Within the Nuclear Medicine classification, these procedures use radioactive substances to visualize tissues by detecting emissions. The two primary variations included are Planar Nuclear Medicine Imaging (code CH1), which produces single-plane images, and Tomographic Nuclear Medicine Imaging (code CH2), which creates three-dimensional images through tomography. Both approaches provide valuable diagnostic information about the skin and breast by highlighting physiological activity rather than structural detail alone. These specialized imaging codes enable precise documentation of nuclear medicine studies applied to these body parts, supporting accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.
Questions About This Page
How many codes are in the CH body system?
The CH body system contains 44 ICD-10-PCS codes in FY 2026, organized into 2 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.
