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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 over 12 channels indicates a more complex treatment setup, allowing for a more comprehensive approach to delivering radiation therapy. This method is particularly beneficial in cases where tumors are located in challenging anatomical areas, as it allows for greater precision in targeting the tumor while minimizing damage to adjacent structures.
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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 treatment delivery. Each step is designed to maximize the precision and safety of the procedure.
After the completion of the remote afterloading high dose rate radionuclide brachytherapy, patients may require specific post-procedure care. It is essential to monitor the patient for any immediate side effects or complications related to the procedure. Patients are typically advised to follow up with their healthcare provider for ongoing assessment and management of their treatment. Additionally, instructions regarding any necessary precautions related to radiation exposure may be provided, ensuring the safety of both the patient and those around them. Recovery times can vary based on individual circumstances and the extent of the treatment, and patients should be informed about what to expect during their recovery period.
| Short Descr | HDR RDNCL NTRSTL/ICAV BRCHTX | Medium Descr | HDR RDNCL NTRSTL/INTRCAV BRACHYTX >12 CHANNELS | Long Descr | Remote afterloading high dose rate radionuclide interstitial or intracavitary brachytherapy, includes basic dosimetry, when performed; over 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. | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | Q1 | Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study | 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. | CR | Catastrophe/disaster related | 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 | 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 | 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 |
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| 2016-01-01 | Added | Added |
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