Reader questions:
Count Seed Removal as Part of Brachytherapy, Sometimes
Published on Fri Feb 19, 2010
Question:
During an operative session my urologist performed brachytherapy in conjunction with a radiation oncologist. My doctor also did a cystoscopic removal of a foreign body -- a radioactive seed pellet. His documentation doesn't say much about this part of the procedure, however. Is this something that is normally done during brachytherapy or something I should separately code? Arkansas Subscriber
Answer:
If the patient has Medicare coverage, you should consider the cystoscopy and the removal of a displaced seed or seeds at the time of the brachytherapy as part of the operative procedure and not a separately billable service.
Exception:
For private payers, you may receive separate reimbursement for the foreign body removal at the time of the brachytherapy. For single seed removal, report 52310 (
Cystourethroscopy, with removal of foreign body, calculus, or ureteral stent from urethra or bladder [separate procedure]; simple), and for the removal of more than one seed report code 52315 (
Cystourethroscopy, with removal of foreign body, calculus, or ureteral stent from urethra or bladder [separate procedure]; complicated).