Summary & Overview
CPT 57155: Gynecologic Brachytherapy, Uterine and Cervical Implant
CPT code 57155 represents gynecologic brachytherapy in which applicator devices are placed into the uterus and the sides of the cervix to hold radioactive material that treats cervical and uterine cancer cells. This procedure is a key component of definitive and adjuvant treatment for locally advanced gynecologic malignancies and has implications for facility resource use, radiation oncology practice patterns, and payer coverage policies nationwide.
Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise synthesis of clinical context, common sites of service, and the service type for 57155, plus an overview of typical billing considerations and common modifiers used with procedural radiation services. The publication presents benchmarks and guidance on documentation elements that influence coding and reimbursement, highlights policy update implications for payer coverage, and outlines areas where coverage variability often occurs.
This national-level summary is intended for health system revenue leaders, coding professionals, and radiation oncology clinicians seeking a clear, actionable reference on the clinical purpose and billing context of CPT code 57155.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 57155 describes a procedure in which a provider inserts devices into the uterus and into the sides of the cervix to hold radioactive material for the local treatment of cancer cells. This is a gynecologic brachytherapy procedure used to deliver targeted internal radiation to malignant tissues of the cervix and uterus.
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Service type: Interventional radiation therapy (brachytherapy implant)
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Typical site of service: Hospital outpatient department or ambulatory surgery center, often performed in an operating room or specialized radiation therapy suite
Data not available in the input for associated taxonomies, ICD-10 diagnoses, and related codes.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient is a postmenopausal woman diagnosed with locally advanced cervical cancer who presents to a gynecologic oncology clinic for intracavitary and interstitial brachytherapy. After staging and external beam radiation therapy, the multidisciplinary team schedules placement of uterine tandem and cervical interstitial needles to deliver high-dose-rate radioactive sources directly to the cervix and parametrial tissues.
Pre-procedure workflow includes counseling, informed consent, relevant labs (complete blood count, coagulation studies), anesthesia assessment, and imaging review (MRI or pelvic CT) to map tumor extent. On the day of service, the patient receives regional or general anesthesia in the operating room or procedure suite, the cervix is dilated as needed, a uterine tandem is inserted into the uterine cavity and needles or catheters are placed into the lateral parametria/cervical tissue under imaging guidance. The devices are secured and connected to a remote afterloader for delivery of radioactive material during the same session or over multiple fractions. Post-placement imaging confirms device position, and the patient is monitored for immediate complications (bleeding, infection). Subsequent visits include source loading/unloading sessions, treatment planning with dosimetry, and follow-up for radiation toxicity management.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
11 | Normal, uncomplicated postoperative recovery | Use when the patient has an expected, uncomplicated recovery after brachytherapy placement. |