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Answer: Physicians most often perform complex simulations on patients with three or more treatment areas who need either rotation or arc therapy - or on patients who need highly complex blocking. When your oncologist performs complex simulation, you should report 77290 (Therapeutic radiology simulation-aided field setting; complex).
Coders most commonly report 77290 for prostate seed implants. However, you can also use a complex simulation code when the physician confirms a hyperthermia probe or verifies a brachytherapy source.
Remember: On the claim, include a simulation note for each complex simulation the oncologist performs. A simulation note documents each simulation on a patient. Each simulation note should include:
- Clinical and coding expertise for this issue of Oncology Coding Alert provided by Cindy Parman, CPC, CPC-H, RCC, co-owner of Coding Strategies Inc. in Dallas, Ga.