Oncology & Hematology Coding Alert

Question: May I report 77300 more than once per port?

Maine Subscriber

Answer: Payers typically pay only once per port per treatment setup for 77300 (Basic radiation dosimetry calculation, central axis depth dose calculation, TDF, NSD, gap calculation, off-axis factor, tissue inhomogeneity factors, calculation of non-ionizing radiation surface and depth dose, as required during course of treatment, only when prescribed by the treating physician).

What to do: Count the number of ports the dosimetrist provides calculations for and report 77300 with the appropriate number in the units box.

Example: Your patient has five ports requiring calculation, so you report 77300 with five units.

Helpful: Payers typically reimburse you for additional calculations if the patient's situation alters, such as when the tumor volume changes. For example, if radiation shrinks the tumor, the dosimetrist must create new calculations to determine the tumor location and the dosage amount.

Watch for: You should only report one unit for multiple ports that are identical in size, shape and depth.

Example: A patient with a bone metastasis has two sets of opposed ports -- anterior/posterior ports with one set of measurements and left/right with another. Even though you have four ports, you only have two calculations, so you should report 77300 twice.