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Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is a non-invasive medical procedure that utilizes advanced technology to deliver a concentrated dose of radiation to a specific area within the cranial cavity. This technique is particularly effective for treating complex cranial lesions, which may include tumors or other abnormal growths in the brain. The procedure employs various forms of radiation, including particle beams, gamma rays, or linear accelerators, to target the lesion with high precision. The term "stereotactic" refers to the use of a three-dimensional coordinate system to locate the precise position of the lesion, ensuring that the radiation is directed accurately while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissue. In the context of CPT® Code 61798, the focus is on the treatment of a single, complex cranial lesion. The procedure is characterized by its ability to deliver a high radiation dose through multiple intersecting beams, which converge at the targeted lesion. This method allows for effective treatment of lesions that may be difficult to access surgically or that pose significant risks if approached through traditional surgical means. The use of a rigid stereotactic frame is essential, as it stabilizes the patient's head during the procedure, ensuring that the radiation beams are precisely aligned with the lesion. Prior to the actual treatment, a planning phase is conducted, which involves imaging techniques such as MRI or CT scans to visualize the lesion and assess its characteristics, including its location, volume, and proximity to critical structures within the brain. This meticulous planning is crucial for determining the appropriate radiation dose and minimizing potential damage to surrounding tissues.
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The procedure of stereotactic radiosurgery (CPT® Code 61798) is indicated for the treatment of specific conditions related to complex cranial lesions. These indications may include:
The stereotactic radiosurgery procedure involves several critical steps to ensure accurate targeting and effective treatment of the cranial lesion. The procedural steps include:
After the completion of the stereotactic radiosurgery, the patient may be monitored for a short period to assess any immediate reactions to the treatment. Post-procedure care typically involves follow-up imaging studies to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment and monitor for any potential side effects or complications. Patients are often advised to resume normal activities as tolerated, but specific instructions regarding activity restrictions or follow-up appointments may be provided by the healthcare team. It is important for patients to report any unusual symptoms or concerns to their physician during the recovery phase.
| Short Descr | SRS CRANIAL LESION COMPLEX | Medium Descr | STEREOTACTIC RADIOSURGERY 1 COMPLEX CRANIAL LES | Long Descr | Stereotactic radiosurgery (particle beam, gamma ray, or linear accelerator); 1 complex cranial lesion | Status Code | Active Code | Global Days | 090 - Major Surgery | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 0 - Physician Service Code | Multiple Procedures (51) | 0 - No payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply. | Bilateral Surgery (50) | 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does NOT apply. | Physician Supervisions | 09 - Concept does not apply. | Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) | 2 - Payment restriction for assistants at surgery does not apply to this procedure... | Co-Surgeons (62) | 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Team Surgery (66) | 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Diagnostic Imaging Family | 99 - Concept Does Not Apply | APC Status Indicator | Code Not Recognized by OPPS when submitted on Outpatient Hospital Part B Bill Type (12x/13x) | Type of Service (TOS) | 2 - Surgery | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | P1G - Major procedure - Other | MUE | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 9 - Other OR therapeutic nervous system procedures |
This is a primary code that can be used with these additional add-on codes.
| 61797 | Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC B CPT Assistant Article Stereotactic radiosurgery (particle beam, gamma ray, or linear accelerator); each additional cranial lesion, simple (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) | 61799 | Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC B CPT Assistant Article Stereotactic radiosurgery (particle beam, gamma ray, or linear accelerator); each additional cranial lesion, complex (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) | 61800 | Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC B CPT Assistant Article Application of stereotactic headframe for stereotactic radiosurgery (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) |
| GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | 58 | Staged or related procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was: (a) planned or anticipated (staged); (b) more extensive than the original procedure; or (c) for therapy following a surgical procedure. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 58 to the staged or related procedure. note: for treatment of a problem that requires a return to the operating/procedure room (eg, unanticipated clinical condition), see modifier 78. | 79 | Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: the individual may need to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was unrelated to the original procedure. this circumstance may be reported by using modifier 79. (for repeat procedures on the same day, see modifier 76.) | 22 | Increased procedural services: when the work required to provide a service is substantially greater than typically required, it may be identified by adding modifier 22 to the usual procedure code. documentation must support the substantial additional work and the reason for the additional work (ie, increased intensity, time, technical difficulty of procedure, severity of patient's condition, physical and mental effort required). note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service. | 54 | Surgical care only: when 1 physician or other qualified health care professional performs a surgical procedure and another provides preoperative and/or postoperative management, surgical services may be identified by adding modifier 54 to the usual procedure number. | 59 | Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25. | 62 | Two surgeons: when 2 surgeons work together as primary surgeons performing distinct part(s) of a procedure, each surgeon should report his/her distinct operative work by adding modifier 62 to the procedure code and any associated add-on code(s) for that procedure as long as both surgeons continue to work together as primary surgeons. each surgeon should report the co-surgery once using the same procedure code. if additional procedure(s) (including add-on procedure(s) are performed during the same surgical session, separate code(s) may also be reported with modifier 62 added. note: if a co-surgeon acts as an assistant in the performance of additional procedure(s), other than those reported with the modifier 62, during the same surgical session, those services may be reported using separate procedure code(s) with modifier 80 or modifier 82 added, as appropriate. | 78 | Unplanned return to the operating/procedure room by the same physician or other qualified health care professional following initial procedure for a related procedure during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that another procedure was performed during the postoperative period of the initial procedure (unplanned procedure following initial procedure). when this procedure is related to the first, and requires the use of an operating/procedure room, it may be reported by adding modifier 78 to the related procedure. (for repeat procedures, see modifier 76.) | 80 | Assistant surgeon: surgical assistant services may be identified by adding modifier 80 to the usual procedure number(s). | 82 | Assistant surgeon (when qualified resident surgeon not available): the unavailability of a qualified resident surgeon is a prerequisite for use of modifier 82 appended to the usual procedure code number(s). | AG | Primary physician | AS | Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery | CC | Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed) | CR | Catastrophe/disaster related | GV | Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider | GW | Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition | GZ | Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary | LT | Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body) | Q1 | Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study | RT | Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body) | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service |
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| 2011-01-01 | Changed | Short description changed. |
| 2009-01-01 | Added | - |
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