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Oncology & Hematology Coding Alert

Reader Questions:

Check Edits Before Reporting 3D Codes

Published on Wed Feb 22, 2006

Question: When I report 3D simulated field setting (77295), do I need to report one of the 3D rendering codes (76376-76377)?


Georgia Subscriber
Answer: No--the National Correct Coding Initiative edits bundle 3D rendering codes 76376 (3D rendering with interpretation and reporting of computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound, or other tomographic modality; not requiring image postprocessing on an independent workstation) and 76377 (... requiring image postprocessing on an independent workstation) into 77295 (Therapeutic radiology simulation-aided field setting; 3-dimensional).

You-ll rarely need to report the 3D rendering codes for oncology services. IMRT and 3D treatment planning already include 3D reconstruction.

If you-re considering reporting the 3D rendering codes for -image fusion- (PET/CT/MRI images fused for treatment planning), your payer is likely to send you a denial. You may be able to report 77399 (Unlisted procedure, medical radiation physics, dosimetry and treatment devices, and special services) for image fusion or your payer may consider it part of the treatment planning code (as with 77295).

NCCI bundles the 3D rendering codes into almost 200 radiology codes, including radiation oncology codes 77280-77295, 77301-77315, 77326-77328, 77401-77416.
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