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Remote afterloading high dose rate (HDR) radionuclide skin surface brachytherapy is a specialized treatment method used primarily for non-melanoma skin cancers. This procedure utilizes a high dose rate of radioactive material delivered directly to the skin surface, allowing for targeted treatment of cancerous lesions while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. The term "remote afterloading" refers to the technique where the radioactive source is loaded into the applicators after they have been placed in the patient, ensuring that the healthcare provider is not exposed to radiation during the procedure. The procedure is designed to treat lesions with a diameter of up to 2.0 cm or through a single channel, making it a precise and effective option for managing localized skin cancers. The process begins with careful planning, including the selection of an appropriate surface applicator based on the lesion's depth and size, followed by meticulous placement and monitoring throughout the treatment. This method not only reduces the need for surgical intervention but also shortens the overall duration of radiation exposure required for effective treatment.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
Remote afterloading high dose rate radionuclide skin surface brachytherapy is indicated for the treatment of specific skin conditions, particularly non-melanoma skin cancers. The following indications are explicitly recognized for this procedure:
The procedure for remote afterloading high dose rate radionuclide skin surface brachytherapy involves several critical steps to ensure effective treatment:
After the completion of remote afterloading high dose rate radionuclide skin surface brachytherapy, patients may require specific post-procedure care. It is essential to monitor the treatment site for any signs of adverse reactions or complications. Patients are typically advised to avoid exposing the treated area to direct sunlight and to follow any specific wound care instructions provided by their healthcare provider. Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to assess the treatment's effectiveness and to monitor for any recurrence of skin lesions. Additionally, patients should be informed about potential side effects, such as skin irritation or changes in pigmentation, and when to seek medical attention if they experience any concerning symptoms.
| Short Descr | HDR RDNCL SKN SURF BRACHYTX | Medium Descr | HDR RDNCL SKN SURF BRACHYTX LES <2CM/1 CHAN | Long Descr | Remote afterloading high dose rate radionuclide skin surface brachytherapy, includes basic dosimetry, when performed; lesion diameter up to 2.0 cm or 1 channel | Status Code | Active Code | Global Days | XXX - Global Concept Does Not Apply | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 1 - Diagnostic Tests for Radiology Services | 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 | ASC Payment Indicator | Radiology service paid separately when provided integral to a surgical procedure on ASC list; payment based on OPPS relative payment weight. | Type of Service (TOS) | 6 - Therapeutic Radiology | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | P7A - Oncology - radiation therapy | MUE | 2 |
| 26 | Professional component: certain procedures are a combination of a physician or other qualified health care professional component and a technical component. when the physician or other qualified health care professional component is reported separately, the service may be identified by adding modifier 26 to the usual procedure number. | 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 | 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. | 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. | 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. | 77 | Repeat procedure by another physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a basic procedure or service was repeated by another physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 77 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) | GW | Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition | 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 | 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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| 2024-01-01 | Changed | Medium Description changed. |
| 2016-01-01 | Added | Added |
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