Oncology & Hematology Coding Alert

Question: Our practice recently started providing eye treatment using Strontium 90. Which codes should I report for the physician's services?California SubscriberAnswer: Strontium 90 treatment for the eye involves surface application of the radiation source, so the code for treatment is 77789 (Surface application of radiation source).If you're reporting only the physician's services, be sure to append modifier 26 (Professional component) to this code, which the Medicare physician fee schedule indicates has both professional and technical components.Helpful: The coding subcommittee for the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) indicates that other codes that may apply for this service include the following:77790 -- Supervision, handling, loading of radiation source77300 -- Basic radiation dosimetry calculation, central axis depth dose calculation, TDF, NSD, gap calculation, off axis factor, tissue inhomogeneity factors, calculation of non-ionizing radiation surface and depth dose, as required during course of treatment, only when prescribed by the treating physician.These codes also have both [...]