2025 CPT code 76965
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Radiology Procedures > Diagnostic Ultrasound Procedures > Ultrasonic Guidance Procedures Feed
Ultrasonic guidance for interstitial radioelement application.
Modifiers, such as 26 (professional component), 52 (reduced services), or TC (technical component), may be applicable depending on the specific circumstances of the procedure and who performs the various components.
Medical necessity must be established by demonstrating that the interstitial radioelement application is the appropriate treatment for the patient's specific cancer type and location. The documentation must support the clinical decision for this procedure over other treatment options.
The physician is responsible for prepping the patient, performing the ultrasound, interpreting the images to guide the needle placement, and ensuring the accurate delivery of the radioelement.This requires specialized training in both ultrasound imaging and the specific brachytherapy procedure.
In simple words: The doctor uses ultrasound imaging, like a sonogram, to precisely guide the placement of tiny radioactive seeds into or next to a tumor.This helps treat the cancer directly at the source while protecting the nearby healthy tissues.
This code describes a procedure where ultrasound is used to guide the placement of a radioactive element into tissues.This is often used in brachytherapy for cancer treatment, where radioactive seeds are placed directly into or near a tumor.The ultrasound imaging allows for precise placement of the radioelement, minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues.
Example 1: A patient with prostate cancer undergoes ultrasound-guided brachytherapy, where radioactive seeds are implanted directly into the prostate gland using ultrasound guidance (76965) to deliver a targeted radiation dose., A patient with a breast lump receives radioactive seed localization using ultrasound (76965). The seeds help pinpoint the lump's exact location for easier surgical removal., A patient with a cancerous eye tumor may have a radioactive plaque placed using ultrasound guidance (76965) to deliver localized radiation therapy.
Documentation should include the type and location of the tumor, the type of radioelement used, the method of placement, ultrasound images, and a report detailing the procedure.
- Modifier TC rule: Modifier TC might be applicable if a separate entity performs only the technical component of the ultrasound guidance, like in a facility setting where a technician operates the ultrasound equipment and a physician interprets the images. The physician then reports the service with modifier 26.
- Specialties:Radiation oncology, interventional radiology, urology (for prostate brachytherapy), and other specialties involved in cancer treatment.
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center, Office