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Tip: Correctly report new 2008 CPT procedure code for soft tissue cancer brachytherapy

Ambulatory Surgery Reimbursement Update, March 11, 2008

The American Medical Association released a new CPT code for 2008 for brachytherapy procedures used to treat soft tissue area cancers excluding the breast, prostate and head/neck. Coders should primarily report this code for the treatment of the soft tissue of the limbs, hips, shoulder, chest, and trunk areas.

The new code is 20555 (placement of needles or catheters into muscle and/or soft tissues for subsequent interstitial radioelement application [at the time of or subsequent to the procedure]).

For example, a coder should report code 20555 in the following scenario: A 51-year-old female has a tumor approximately 7 cm in size in her right upper arm that is growing. A biopsy reveals it to be a cancerous mass. The orthopedic surgeon performs a surgical excision of the mass. During the surgery the surgeon implants catheters in the area, which are subsequently loaded with radioactive seeds for brachytherapy.

This tip is brought to you by Ellis Medical Consulting, Inc.

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