CPT code for electronic brachytherapy approved
The American Medical Association (AMA) Common Procedural Terminology (CPT) editorial panel approved a CPT code for the use of electronic brachytherapy, a form of high-dose rate radiation therapy for the treatment of early stage breast cancer. According to Fremont, Calif.-based Xoft, developer of the Axxent electronic brachytherapy system proprietary cancer treatment platform, the CPT code will help accelerate adoption of the new treatment option.

Electronic brachytherapy is designed to deliver targeted radiation therapy directly to cancer sites with minimal radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissue.

The CPT code for electronic brachytherapy became effective July 1 this year and will be included in the upcoming AMA CPT 2008 codebook.  Additionally, the Category III CPT Code 0182T: high dose rate electronic brachytherapy, per fraction, has been assigned a new technology ambulatory payment classification (APC). The APC payment includes the high-dose rate electronic brachytherapy radiation treatment and the cost of the X-ray source, according to Xoft, which will allow Medicare beneficiaries to receive electronic brachytherapy in a hospital outpatient setting.
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