Summary & Overview

CPT 0601T: Open Irreversible Electroporation Tumor Ablation

CPT code 0601T denotes an open surgical irreversible electroporation (IRE) ablation procedure in which probes are inserted directly into tumor tissue and high‑intensity, microsecond electrical pulses are delivered to permeabilize and destroy tumor cell membranes. The procedure includes imaging guidance and can treat one or more tumors in a single organ. Nationally, the code represents a specialized, device‑driven ablative oncology service used for tumors that may be unsuitable for thermal ablation or resection.

Key payers covered in the analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a focused overview of the clinical service, typical sites of care, and payer relevance. The publication summarizes available benchmarks where present, highlights coding and billing considerations tied to an open operative approach with integrated imaging guidance, and places the service in clinical context as a nonthermal tumor ablation option.

This resource is intended to inform revenue cycle, clinical coding, and policy teams about the clinical nature of the service, typical delivery settings, and the payers most likely to be involved in coverage and reimbursement decisions. Data not available in the input where applicable.

AetnaBlue Cross Blue ShieldCigna HealthUnitedHealthcareMedicare0601TCPTirreversible electroporationopen ablationsurgical oncologyimage-guided procedurenonthermal ablationoperating room

Billing Code Overview

CPT code 0601T describes an irreversible electroporation ablation procedure performed via an open surgical approach. The provider inserts one or more probes directly into the tumor site and delivers very short (microsecond), high‑intensity, nonthermal electrical pulses that permeabilize cell membranes to destroy tumor cells and prevent cell division. The service includes imaging guidance as part of the procedure and is intended to treat one or more tumors within a single organ.

Service Type: Open surgical irreversible electroporation ablation

Typical Site of Service: Operating room / inpatient or outpatient surgical facility

Data not available in the input.

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A typical patient is an adult with one or more unresectable focal tumors in a solid organ (commonly liver, pancreas, kidney, or prostate) who is referred for open irreversible electroporation (IRE) ablation. The patient often has prior imaging (CT or MRI) demonstrating a target lesion(s) not amenable to surgical resection due to proximity to vital structures or underlying comorbidity. Preoperative evaluation includes cross-sectional imaging review, laboratory assessment (including coagulation profile and hepatic/renal function as applicable), and anesthesia assessment for an open procedure under general anesthesia.

Intraoperative workflow: the patient undergoes an open laparotomy or thoracotomy to expose the organ. The surgeon inserts one or more IRE probes into and around the tumor under direct visualization and intraoperative imaging; imaging guidance is included in the procedure and is not reported separately. Short-duration, high-voltage electrical pulses are delivered to create irreversible permeabilization of tumor cell membranes. The provider treats one or more tumors per organ during the same operative episode. Hemostasis is confirmed, and the incision is closed. Postoperative care includes monitoring for organ-specific complications, pain control, and follow-up imaging to assess ablation completeness and detect recurrence.

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`22`	Increased procedural services	Use when the work, time, or intensity substantially exceeds usual for and documentation supports additional payment.

0601T

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
207X00000X	Surgical Oncology	Surgical oncologists commonly perform open tumor-directed IRE for hepatic and pancreatic lesions.
208000000X	General Surgery	General surgeons perform open IRE for liver, kidney, and other abdominal solid-organ tumors.
207LC0000X	Vascular and Endovascular Surgery	Vascular surgeons may participate when vascular control or reconstruction is required during open IRE.
2086S0128X	Interventional Radiology (Diagnostic & Interventional)	Interventional radiologists collaborate for imaging guidance and probe placement, though imaging is included in `0601T`.
2084P0800X	Surgical Oncology — Hepatobiliary	Hepatobiliary surgeons specifically manage liver tumors and commonly perform open IRE procedures.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`C22.0`	Liver cell carcinoma	Primary hepatic malignancy commonly treated with ablative techniques including open IRE when resection is not feasible.
`C25.9`	Malignant neoplasm of pancreas, unspecified	Pancreatic tumors adjacent to vascular structures may be managed with IRE to preserve nearby critical structures.
`C64.9`	Malignant neoplasm of kidney, unspecified	Renal tumors in challenging locations may be treated with focal ablation including IRE as an alternative to partial nephrectomy.
`C61`	Malignant neoplasm of prostate	Focal prostate tumors not amenable to other focal therapies may be treated with IRE approaches.
`C79.82`	Secondary malignant neoplasm of liver and intrahepatic bile duct	Metastatic liver lesions often undergo focal ablation such as IRE when resection is not suitable.
`D49.7`	Neoplasm of unspecified behavior of other specified sites	Used when neoplasm site or behavior is unclear but ablation is indicated pending diagnostic clarification.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`49999`	Unlisted procedure, abdomen — open	Used when a specific open abdominal procedure related to tumor resection or ancillary work is performed and no specific CPT exists; may be reported for ancillary open work in complex cases accompanying `0601T` if applicable and documented.
`76942`	Ultrasonic guidance for needle placement (e.g., biopsy, aspiration, injection)	Often used preoperatively or intraoperatively for localization of lesions; not reported separately when imaging guidance is explicitly included in `0601T`.
`76937`	Ultrasound guidance for vascular access	May be used if separate vascular access procedures are performed unrelated to included imaging functions; verify payer bundling.
`77012`	CT guidance for needle placement (diagnostic)	Used when CT-guided percutaneous localization or biopsy is performed in a separate encounter; intraoperative imaging is included in `0601T`.
`11042`	Debridement; subcutaneous tissue (first 20 sq cm or less)	May be reported for separate, distinct debridement procedures of soft tissue not included in the ablation procedure if performed concurrently.
`99152`	Moderate sedation services (initial 15 minutes)	If moderate sedation by the same physician is provided for a portion of care separate from general anesthesia responsibilities, report per payer rules; general anesthesia is typical for open `0601T`.