CPT code 61798 denotes stereotactic radiosurgery using externally generated ionizing radiation to ablate a single, complex intracranial lesion—typically larger than 3.5 cm. The code captures a high-complexity, high-resource procedure used in neurosurgery and radiation oncology for patients with solitary large brain lesions where focal destruction is clinically indicated. Nationally, this code matters because it represents care delivered in specialized centers, with implications for facility readiness, radiation oncology capacity, and payer coverage policies.

Key payers considered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of clinical context and service setting, followed by benchmarks and payer coverage patterns where available, common billing modifiers, and relevant policy developments that affect utilization and reimbursement. The publication explains practical coding context, common sites of service, and what to expect in terms of administrative considerations for billing 61798 at a national level.

Data not provided in the input for specific ICD-10 pairings, taxonomies, or payer-specific rates are noted as unavailable; the content focuses on the code’s clinical meaning, service delivery context, and typical billing considerations.