Brachytherapy for Early Breast CA Gets CPT Code
Electronic brachytherapy for early stage breast cancer treatment received a CPT code from the American Medical Association Committee that approves the addition of new Common Procedural Terminology.
Along with the assigned CPT code listed in the AMA CPT 2008 codebook, the fractionated delivery of treatment also received a New Technology Ambulatory Payment Classification (APC). The rate includes payment for both the radiation therapy and the radiation source.
The procedure treats patients with high doses of radiation therapy targeted directly to the malignant lesion. This treatment approach minimizes the likelihood that radiation hits healthy, normal tissue.
This increases the opportunities for facilities to begin using treatment, according to Xoft, Incorporated, now that reimbursement avenues are guaranteed. The company manufactures the Axxent Electronic Brachytherapy System, which can be used to provide this treatment.
The Axxent System uses a miniature x-ray source to deliver the radiation therapy to the breast lesion. The device design is flexible in that it emits less radiation, requiring less protections from radiation exposure during treatment. This can broaden the availability of treatment settings.
Therapy delivered with this device can be completed in a five day period, compared to standard external beam radiation which is delivered over a seven week course.
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