2025 CPT code 20983
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Surgery - Surgical Procedures on the Musculoskeletal System Surgery Feed
Percutaneous cryoablation for one or more bone tumors, including adjacent soft tissue if involved.
Modifiers may be applicable depending on the circumstances of the procedure (e.g., modifier 51 for multiple procedures, modifier 76 for a repeat procedure).
Cryoablation is medically necessary for the treatment of bone tumors when other treatment modalities are not appropriate or have failed.Medical necessity should be supported by clinical documentation demonstrating the tumor's size, location, and impact on the patient's function. The procedure should be deemed the most appropriate treatment option for the patient's clinical situation.
The physician performs a percutaneous cryoablation procedure to destroy bone tumors and any involved adjacent soft tissue. This involves making a small incision, inserting a cryoablation probe, confirming its position (often with imaging guidance), freezing the tumor for an appropriate duration, withdrawing the probe, and closing the incision.
In simple words: This procedure uses a very cold probe inserted through the skin to destroy one or more bone tumors and any nearby affected tissue.Sometimes imaging is used to guide the process.
Percutaneous cryoablation for the reduction or eradication of one or more bone tumors (e.g., metastasis), including adjacent soft tissue when involved by tumor extension.The procedure involves percutaneous placement of a cryoablation probe to freeze and destroy tumor cells. Imaging guidance may be used.Do not report 20982, 20983 in conjunction with 76940, 77002, 77013, 77022.
Example 1: A patient presents with a single metastatic bone tumor in the femur.Cryoablation is performed percutaneously with imaging guidance to destroy the tumor., A patient has multiple small bone metastases in the vertebrae. Percutaneous cryoablation is used to treat all lesions simultaneously, utilizing fluoroscopy for guidance., A patient with a large bone tumor extending into the surrounding soft tissue undergoes percutaneous cryoablation. The procedure includes the destruction of both the bone tumor and the involved soft tissue.
* Preoperative diagnosis and imaging studies (e.g., X-ray, CT, MRI) clearly showing the location and size of the bone tumor(s).* Operative report detailing the technique used, the number and location of tumors treated, and the extent of tissue destruction.* Postoperative imaging to confirm tumor ablation.* Pathology report (if tissue samples are obtained).
** This code is for percutaneous cryoablation of bone tumors.Other ablation techniques (e.g., radiofrequency ablation) have separate codes.Always refer to the most current CPT codebook for the most up-to-date information.
- Revenue Code: P6C (MINOR PROCEDURES - OTHER)
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: Not applicable
- Specialties:Oncology, Orthopedic Surgery, Interventional Radiology
- Place of Service:Office, Outpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center