How To Use CPT Code 77417
CPT 77417 describes the use of therapeutic radiology port image(s) during radiation treatment. This article will cover the description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information, similar codes and billing examples.
1. What is CPT Code 77417?
CPT 77417 is a code used to describe the use of therapeutic radiology port image(s) during radiation treatment. These images are taken by a radiation therapist and show the precise shape, size, and area covered by the treatment beam. The goal is to ensure that the treatment area is accurately positioned during the radiation therapy.
2. Official Description
The official description of CPT code 77417 is: ‘Therapeutic radiology port image(s).’ There are no additional notes provided for this code.
3. Procedure
- During radiation treatment, the provider takes special X-ray films called port images using the treatment beam of the machine.
- These films show the precise shape, size, and area covered by the treatment beam, ensuring accurate positioning of the treatment area.
- The provider may take multiple images of multiple ports if necessary.
4. Qualifying circumstances
CPT 77417 is used when therapeutic radiology port images are taken during radiation treatment. This code is specific to the technical component of the service, so only the facility that performs the imaging should report the code. Modifier 26 or TC should not be appended to this code.
5. When to use CPT code 77417
CPT code 77417 should be used when therapeutic radiology port images are taken during radiation treatment. It is important to note that this code is specific to the technical component and should only be reported by the facility performing the imaging.
6. Documentation requirements
To support a claim for CPT 77417, the facility should document the following information:
- Date of the imaging procedure
- Number of images taken
- Patient’s name and identification number
- Location of the treatment area
- Any relevant notes or observations made during the imaging procedure
7. Billing guidelines
When billing for CPT 77417, the facility that performs the imaging should report the code. Modifier 26 or TC should not be appended to this code. It is important to follow the guidelines provided by the AMA and CMS regarding the frequency of reporting port images.
8. Historical information
CPT 77417 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 1991. The code was later changed on January 1, 2016, to its current description of ‘Therapeutic radiology port image(s).’ There have been no additional updates to the code since then.
9. Examples
- A radiation therapist takes therapeutic radiology port images during a patient’s radiation treatment to ensure accurate positioning of the treatment area.
- During a course of radiation therapy, the facility performs weekly port images to monitor the treatment area’s alignment.
- Port images are taken at the beginning and end of each week of radiation treatment to assess any changes in the treatment area.
- A patient undergoing radiation therapy for breast cancer receives port images at each treatment session to ensure precise targeting of the tumor.
- Port images are taken during radiation treatment for prostate cancer to verify the accuracy of the treatment beam’s placement.
- Therapeutic radiology port images are taken during radiation treatment for lung cancer to ensure the treatment area is properly positioned.
- A facility performs port images during radiation treatment for brain tumors to monitor the alignment of the treatment area.
- Port images are taken during radiation treatment for head and neck cancers to verify the accuracy of the treatment beam’s placement.
- A patient receiving radiation therapy for cervical cancer undergoes port images at each treatment session to ensure precise targeting of the tumor.
- During radiation treatment for colorectal cancer, port images are taken to monitor the alignment of the treatment area.
