Summary & Overview
CPT 20982: Percutaneous Radiofrequency Ablation of Metastatic Bone Tumor
CPT code 20982 represents percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of metastatic bone tumors, a minimally invasive interventional oncology treatment that destroys bone lesions and adjacent affected soft tissue using thermal energy. Nationally, this code is significant as RFA offers palliative pain relief, local tumor control, and a treatment option for patients not suited to surgery. Payers evaluate coverage for 20982 based on clinical indications, documented imaging guidance, and facility/provider settings.
Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of clinical context, typical sites of service, and the service type associated with the code. The publication outlines national benchmarking considerations, common billing modifiers and documentation elements (listed separately), and policy themes that influence coverage decisions and reimbursement consistency across payers.
This summary equips clinicians, coders, and policy analysts with a clear statement of what CPT code 20982 is used for, why it matters in cancer care and interventional radiology, and what areas of billing and policy typically affect its use. Data not available in the input will be flagged in relevant sections.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 20982 describes percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of one or more metastatic bone tumors, including destruction of adjacent soft tissue affected by the tumor. The procedure uses radiofrequency thermal energy applied through the skin and may be performed with or without imaging guidance to localize and monitor treatment.
Service type: Image-guided percutaneous tumor ablation / interventional oncology procedure
Typical site of service: Hospital outpatient department or ambulatory surgical center; may also be performed in specialized interventional radiology suites
Data not available in the input.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 62-year-old patient with a history of metastatic renal cell carcinoma presents with a painful, expanding lytic lesion in the proximal femur confirmed by prior imaging. The interventional radiology team evaluates the patient for percutaneous tumor ablation to provide local tumor control and palliation of pain. Pre-procedure workflow includes review of oncologic history, coagulation status, and current medications (anticoagulants held per institutional protocol), informed consent explaining goals and risks, and cross-sectional imaging (CT or MRI) to define tumor extent and relationship to neurovascular structures. On the day of the procedure the patient receives conscious sedation or general anesthesia in a procedure suite or interventional radiology operating room. Under sterile technique, the operator uses CT or fluoroscopic guidance to place a percutaneous probe into the metastatic bone lesion and adjacent involved soft tissue. Radiofrequency energy is applied to ablate tumor tissue while monitoring probe position with imaging; multiple overlapping ablations may be performed for larger lesions. Hemostasis and soft-tissue assessment are confirmed with post‑procedure imaging; the patient is observed for recovery and discharged same day or admitted for pain control based on clinical status. Follow-up imaging and oncology coordination occur to assess local control and plan systemic therapy continuation.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
26 | Professional component | Use when billing only the physician professional component separate from technical facility resources for imaging guidance or interpretation. |