Summary & Overview
CPT 58346: Heyman Capsule Insertion for Uterine Brachytherapy
CPT code 58346 denotes the insertion of Heyman capsules into the uterus to hold radioactive material for brachytherapy, primarily used in treating endometrial cancer. This procedure is a specialized gynecologic radiation service that enables focused intracavitary radiation, reducing dose to surrounding tissues while delivering therapeutic radiation to the endometrium. Nationally, this code represents a niche but important service within gynecologic oncology care pathways and radiation oncology practices.
Key payers included in the analysis are Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise clinical and billing overview, typical sites of service, and discussion of common claim considerations tied to this procedural code. The publication covers expected service context, how the code fits into brachytherapy care episodes, and operational considerations relevant to hospital outpatient departments and ambulatory surgical centers.
This summary prepares clinicians, coding professionals, and payers to understand what CPT code 58346 represents clinically and administratively, and what elements to review when evaluating claims or incorporating the procedure into care workflows. Data not available in the input are noted where applicable in detailed sections.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 58346 describes insertion of Heyman capsules into the uterus to hold radioactive material for brachytherapy treatment. The procedure is used for management of endometrial cancer and involves placement of intraluminal radioactive sources that deliver targeted radiation to the uterine cavity.
Service Type: Brachytherapy device insertion for gynecologic malignancy
Typical Site of Service: Hospital outpatient department or ambulatory surgical center, with perioperative and radiation oncology coordination for placement and later radiation delivery.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient is a postmenopausal woman diagnosed with endometrial carcinoma who is scheduled for intracavitary brachytherapy. The patient has undergone staging and either primary surgery (total hysterectomy with or without bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy) or conservative management where brachytherapy is indicated to deliver localized radiation to the endometrium. The clinical workflow begins with pre-procedure evaluation by gynecologic oncology and radiation oncology teams, including review of imaging (pelvic MRI or CT) and pathology. On the day of service the patient presents to an outpatient radiation oncology suite or ambulatory surgery center; informed consent and preprocedural verification are completed. Under appropriate sedation or anesthesia, the provider inserts Heyman capsules into the uterine cavity using sterile technique; capsules are loaded to hold radioactive sources for planned fractions. Post-insertion, the patient undergoes treatment planning imaging (typically radiographic verification) and brachytherapy delivery per the radiation oncologist’s prescription. After completion, the capsules are removed and the patient is observed briefly for immediate complications before discharge. Typical site of service: outpatient radiation oncology department, hospital outpatient department, or ambulatory surgery center. Service type: intracavitary uterine brachytherapy placement of radioactive carriers for treatment of endometrial malignancy.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
11 |