How To Use CPT Code 79445

CPT 79445 describes a therapeutic nuclear medicine procedure that involves the intra-arterial particulate administration of a radiopharmaceutical. This article will cover the official description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information, similar codes and billing examples.

1. What is CPT Code 79445?

CPT 79445 can be used to describe a therapeutic nuclear medicine procedure in which a provider injects a liquid containing radioactive particles into the artery supplying blood to a tumor. The aim of this procedure is to block the blood supply to the cancer cells, ultimately shrinking the tumor.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 79445 is: ‘Radiopharmaceutical therapy, by intra-arterial particulate administration.’

3. Procedure

1. In a separately reportable service, the provider inserts a catheter into an artery in the groin and moves it under radiologic guidance into the blood vessel supplying the tumor.
2. The provider identifies the exact artery supplying blood to the cancer cells.
3. The provider injects a liquid containing radioactive particles into the artery.
4. The radioactive particles stay in the tumor, blocking blood flow to cancer cells, killing them, and shrinking the tumor.
5. The particles cause minimal damage to the surrounding healthy tissue, and the radiation gradually disappears over a month.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT 79445 is used for therapeutic nuclear medicine procedures that involve the intra-arterial particulate administration of a radiopharmaceutical. This procedure is typically used to treat liver tumors. It is important to note that this code should not be reported in conjunction with CPT codes 96373 and 96420. Additionally, appropriate procedural and radiological supervision and interpretation codes should be used for the angiographic and interventional procedures provided prerequisite to intra-arterial radiopharmaceutical therapy.

5. When to use CPT code 79445

CPT code 79445 should be used when a provider performs a therapeutic nuclear medicine procedure involving the intra-arterial particulate administration of a radiopharmaceutical. It is important to follow the guidelines and not report this code with CPT codes 96373 and 96420.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 79445, the provider must document the following information:

• Details of the therapeutic nuclear medicine procedure performed
• Specific radiopharmaceutical used
• Date of the procedure
• Start and end time of the procedure
• Documentation of the tumor being treated and the artery supplying blood to the tumor
• Any additional relevant information or findings

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT 79445, ensure that the procedure meets the criteria for this code. It is important to note that CPT code 79445 should not be reported in conjunction with CPT codes 96373 and 96420. If reporting only the physician’s interpretation for the radiology service, append modifier 26 to the radiology code. If reporting only the technical component for the radiology service, append modifier TC to the radiology code. However, payer policy may exempt hospitals from appending modifier TC. It is also important to consider the entity that bears the cost of the radiopharmaceutical, as it may need to be reported separately using the appropriate code.

8. Historical information

CPT code 79445 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 2005. There have been no updates to the code since its addition.

9. Examples

1. A provider performs a therapeutic nuclear medicine procedure involving the intra-arterial particulate administration of a radiopharmaceutical to treat a liver tumor.
2. A patient undergoes a therapeutic nuclear medicine procedure in which a provider injects a liquid containing radioactive particles into the artery supplying blood to a tumor in their lung.
3. A provider performs a therapeutic nuclear medicine procedure to treat a brain tumor by delivering radioactive particles through the intra-arterial route.
4. A patient receives a therapeutic nuclear medicine procedure involving the intra-arterial administration of a radiopharmaceutical to treat a tumor in their kidney.
5. A provider performs a therapeutic nuclear medicine procedure to treat a tumor in a patient’s spine by injecting a liquid containing radioactive particles into the artery supplying blood to the tumor.
6. A patient undergoes a therapeutic nuclear medicine procedure in which a provider delivers radioactive particles to a tumor in their breast through the intra-arterial route.
7. A provider performs a therapeutic nuclear medicine procedure involving the intra-arterial administration of a radiopharmaceutical to treat a tumor in a patient’s pancreas.
8. A patient receives a therapeutic nuclear medicine procedure to treat a tumor in their bone by injecting a liquid containing radioactive particles into the artery supplying blood to the tumor.
9. A provider performs a therapeutic nuclear medicine procedure to treat a tumor in a patient’s prostate by delivering radioactive particles through the intra-arterial route.
10. A patient undergoes a therapeutic nuclear medicine procedure involving the intra-arterial administration of a radiopharmaceutical to treat a tumor in their bladder.