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Remote afterloading high dose rate (HDR) radionuclide interstitial or intracavitary brachytherapy is a specialized procedure used in the treatment of certain cancers. This technique involves the precise placement of radioactive sources within or near a tumor to deliver targeted radiation therapy. The term "remote afterloading" refers to the method by which the radioactive material is loaded into the applicators after they have been positioned in the patient, minimizing the exposure of healthcare personnel to radiation. The procedure includes basic dosimetry, which is the calculation and assessment of the radiation dose delivered to the tumor, ensuring that the optimal dose is achieved while protecting surrounding healthy tissues. The use of 2 to 12 channels indicates the number of pathways through which the radioactive source can be delivered, allowing for a tailored approach to treatment based on the specific needs of the patient and the characteristics of the tumor. This method is critical for enhancing the effectiveness of brachytherapy while maintaining safety standards for both patients and medical staff.
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The procedure of remote afterloading high dose rate radionuclide interstitial or intracavitary brachytherapy is indicated for the treatment of various malignancies where localized radiation therapy is beneficial. The following conditions may warrant the use of this procedure:
The procedure for remote afterloading high dose rate radionuclide brachytherapy involves several critical steps to ensure effective and safe treatment delivery. Each step is designed to optimize the placement and dosage of the radioactive source.
After the completion of remote afterloading high dose rate radionuclide brachytherapy, patients may require monitoring for any immediate side effects related to the procedure. It is essential to ensure that the patient is stable and that there are no complications arising from the placement of the applicators or the radiation exposure. Patients may experience some localized discomfort or swelling, which should be managed appropriately. Follow-up appointments are typically scheduled to assess the treatment's effectiveness and monitor for any potential late effects of radiation therapy. Additionally, patients may receive specific instructions regarding activity restrictions and signs of complications to watch for as they recover.
| Short Descr | HDR RDNCL NTRSTL/ICAV BRCHTX | Medium Descr | HDR RDNCL NTRSTL/INTRCAV BRACHYTX 2-12 CHANNEL | Long Descr | Remote afterloading high dose rate radionuclide interstitial or intracavitary brachytherapy, includes basic dosimetry, when performed; 2-12 channels | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | CR | Catastrophe/disaster related | XE | Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service | 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 | 56 | Preoperative management only: when 1 physician or other qualified health care professional performed the preoperative care and evaluation and another performed the surgical procedure, the preoperative component may be identified by adding modifier 56 to the usual procedure number. | AQ | Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa) | CC | Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed) | GT | Via interactive audio and video telecommunication systems | Q1 | Routine 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 | 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 | X5 | Diagnostic services requested by another clinician: for reporting services by a clinician who furnishes care to the patient only as requested by another clinician or subsequent and related services requested by another clinician; this modifier is reported for patient relationships that may not be adequately captured by the above alternative categories; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the radiologist's interpretation of an imaging study requested by another clinician | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure |
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| 2016-01-01 | Added | Added |
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