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Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is a specialized form of radiation treatment that targets one or more lesions within the body with high precision. This technique employs advanced imaging guidance to ensure accurate delivery of radiation, which is crucial for minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues. The treatment is administered in fractions, meaning that the total radiation dose is divided into smaller, manageable sessions, with the entire course of treatment not exceeding five fractions. Unlike traditional radiosurgery, which typically involves a single session, SBRT allows for a more gradual delivery of radiation, making it suitable for larger tumors or those located near critical structures. The process involves the use of computer-aided mapping to determine the exact three-dimensional coordinates of the target lesions, ensuring that the radiation is focused precisely where it is needed. To maintain stability during treatment and to protect healthy tissue, patients are often immobilized using removable frames, masks, or custom-fitted casts. The technology utilized in SBRT primarily involves linear accelerators, which generate high-energy x-rays to deliver the radiation. These machines can move during treatment, directing the radiation beam in various arcs to further reduce exposure to healthy tissues. Both magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) are employed for imaging guidance, with MRI being the preferred method due to its superior resolution and ability to differentiate between normal and tumor tissues. However, some linear accelerator systems may be compatible only with CT imaging. Overall, SBRT represents a significant advancement in the field of radiation therapy, providing effective treatment options for patients with specific tumor characteristics.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The indications for stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) include the treatment of one or more lesions within the body. This procedure is particularly suitable for patients with tumors that are localized and can benefit from precise radiation delivery. The following conditions may warrant the use of SBRT:
The procedure for delivering stereotactic body radiation therapy involves several critical steps to ensure effective treatment:
Following the completion of stereotactic body radiation therapy, patients may experience some side effects, which can vary depending on the location and size of the treated lesions. Common post-procedure care includes monitoring for any adverse reactions, managing pain, and providing supportive care as needed. Patients are typically advised to follow up with their healthcare provider to assess the effectiveness of the treatment and to discuss any ongoing symptoms or concerns. Recovery times can vary, but many patients are able to resume normal activities shortly after treatment, depending on their individual circumstances and overall health.
| Short Descr | STRTCTC BDY RAD THER TX DLVR | Medium Descr | STEREOTACTIC BODY RADIATION TREATMENT DELIVERY | Long Descr | Stereotactic body radiation therapy, treatment delivery, per fraction to 1 or more lesions, including image guidance, entire course not to exceed 5 fractions | Status Code | Active Code | Global Days | XXX - Global Concept Does Not Apply | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 3 - Technical Component Only 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) | 0 - Payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies 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 | Procedure or Service, Not Discounted when Multiple | Type of Service (TOS) | 4 - Diagnostic Radiology | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | I4B - Imaging/procedure - other | MUE | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 211 - Therapeutic radiology |
| Q6 | Service furnished under a fee-for-time compensation arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area | Q1 | Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study | CR | Catastrophe/disaster related | GZ | Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary | 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. | 76 | Repeat procedure or service by same physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was repeated by the same physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 76 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service. | CC | Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed) | 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 | Q0 | Investigational clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study | Q5 | Service furnished under a reciprocal billing arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area | RT | Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body) | TC | Technical component; under certain circumstances, a charge may be made for the technical component alone; under those circumstances the technical component charge is identified by adding modifier 'tc' to the usual procedure number; technical component charges are institutional charges and not billed separately by physicians; however, portable x-ray suppliers only bill for technical component and should utilize modifier tc; the charge data from portable x-ray suppliers will then be used to build customary and prevailing profiles | 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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| 2025-01-01 | Changed | Short and Medium Descriptions changed. |
| 2007-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 2007. |
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