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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesClinical Treatment Planning (External and Internal Sources) for Radiation TreatmentCPT cpt-77280-radiation-therapy-simulation-simple
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    CPT 77280: Simple Radiation Therapy Simulation and Port Localization

    Medicare pays $188 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 77280 describes a simple simulation for radiation therapy in which the provider uses a simulator or other imaging modality to determine the size and location of ports (field placement) to be used for treatment; service type: radiation therapy simulation, typical site of service: radiation oncology department or outpatient imaging/simulation suite.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Pediatric Neurodevelopmental and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Screening Corporate Medical Policy, Inhaled Nitric Oxide Therapy (for New Mexico Only), Inhaled Nitric Oxide Therapy (for North Carolina Only).

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 62-year-old patient with a newly diagnosed left-sided breast carcinoma is referred to radiation oncology for adjuvant external beam radiotherapy following lumpectomy. The radiation oncologist schedules a simulation visit to localize treatment fields and determine the size and location of immobilization devices and beam ports. During the simulation, the patient is positioned supine on the CT simulation couch with a breast board and thermoplastic immobilization as needed. A CT simulation scan is obtained and the provider uses the simulator images to define field edges and mark skin reference points; simple port placement and field size determination are performed for a standard tangential breast technique. The clinical workflow includes patient check-in, positioning and immobilization, acquisition of simulation imaging, provider review and determination of port locations and field sizes, documentation of simulation parameters in the medical record, and communication to the dosimetry and physics teams for treatment planning. This service is a single, simple-level simulation visit that does not require complex immobilization, gating, or multiple simulation scans.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    77295Simulation-aided field setting and simulation for complex radiation therapy planning (simple simulation is 77280; 77295 denotes more complex procedures)Performed when more advanced simulation (multiple levels, gating, or complex immobilization) is required beyond a simple simulation
    77300Special simulation, treatment devices, or techniques (e.g., bolus, field-in-field)Used when additional simulation work or devices are needed to support the plan after initial field determination
    77427Radiation treatment management, 5 treatmentsRepresents ongoing management during the course of radiotherapy after simulation and planning are completed
    77261Therapeutic radiology treatment planning, simpleOften follows simulation; dosimetrist/physician develop a simple treatment plan based on 77280 simulation
    77292Simulation with complex dosimetric calculations and multiple isocentersUsed when planning requires more complex simulation or dosimetric work than 77280 covers.

    Related Modifiers

    7 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    26Modifier 26 (Professional Component) identifies and bills only the professional portion of a split service — the physician’s interpretation, report, and medical judgment — when the technical…- Use CPT Modifier -26 when you are billing only the professional component (PC) of a split‑bill eligible service—i.e., you performed the physician interpretation, medical judgment and prepared a…
    52Modifier ‑52 (Reduced Services) indicates that a service or procedure was partially reduced or omitted at the provider’s discretion, allowing reporting of the basic procedure number with a qualifier…- Use modifier -52 when a physician or qualified health professional electively reduces or omits part of a procedure or service (for example, performing fewer required views or omitting a portion of…
    53Modifier 53 (Discontinued Procedure) signals that a surgical or diagnostic service was begun by the physician but terminated because of extenuating circumstances that threatened the patient’s…- Use modifier -53 when a physician/qualified healthcare professional has started a surgical or diagnostic procedure (e.g., anesthesia administered, incision or scope insertion) and then discontinues…
    59Modifier 59 indicates a distinct procedural service when two procedures that are not normally billed together are clinically and procedurally separate. The CPT definition (as reiterated by CMS)…- Use modifier -59 to report a distinct procedural service when documentation supports that the procedure reported is not normally billed together with another service on the same day because of a…
    76Modifier -76, Repeat Procedure or Service by Same Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional, is appended when the same provider performs an identical, medically necessary procedure or…- Use modifier -76 when the same physician or other qualified health care professional performs an identical procedure or service a second (or subsequent) time on the same date of service and the…
    77Modifier 77 indicates that a previously performed procedure or service was legitimately repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional. The AMA’s CPT definition…- Use modifier 77 when a basic procedure or service already performed is repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional (for example, a second provider independently…
    78CPT modifier -78 indicates an unplanned, related return to the operating or procedure room by the same provider during the global postoperative period. It is appended when treatment for a…- Use modifier -78 when an unplanned, related complication during the original procedure’s global postoperative period requires the patient to return to a formal operating or procedure room and the…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    2084P0800X
    207RR0500X
    163WI0600X
    3245S0500X
    208600000X
    2086S0122X
    261QL0400X
    163WX0003X

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Pediatrics/Neonatology1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Pediatric Neurodevelopmental and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Screening Corporate Medical Policybcbsvermont2026-12-01
    Inhaled Nitric Oxide Therapy (for New Mexico Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Inhaled Nitric Oxide Therapy (for North Carolina Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Inhaled Nitric Oxide Therapy (for Pennsylvania Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Inhaled Nitric Oxide Therapy (for Kentucky Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Clinical Policy: NICU Apnea Bradycardia GuidelinesAmbetter Nevada2026-10-01
    DRG Newborn Inpatient Stays - FacilityBlue Cross Blue Shield - Maine2026-10-01
    Pediatric Preventive ScreeningOscar Health2026-10-01
    Infant Nutritional FormulaCigna2026-09-15
    Pediatric Preventive ScreeningBlue Cross Blue Shield - New Mexico2026-09-04

    Related Codes

    CPT-77261-RADIATION-TREATMENT-PLANNING-INITIAL

    CPT 77261: Radiation Treatment Planning, Simple

    CPT-77262-RADIATION-THERAPY-TREATMENT-PLANNING-DETAILED

    CPT 77262: Radiation Therapy Treatment Planning and Management

    CPT-77263-RADIATION-THERAPY-TREATMENT-PLANNING

    CPT 77263: Complex Radiation Therapy Treatment Planning

    CPT-77285-RADIATION-THERAPY-SIMULATION-PORT-LOCALIZATION

    CPT 77285: Radiation Therapy Simulation for Port Localization

    CPT-77290-RADIATION-TREATMENT-SIMULATION-PLANNING

    CPT 77290: 3D Radiation Therapy Simulation and Treatment Field Localization

    CPT-77293-4D-CT-RESPIRATION-CORRELATED-SIMULATION-FOR-RADIATION-PLANNING

    CPT 77293: 4D (respiration‑correlated) CT Simulation for Radiotherapy

    CPT-77295-3D-DOSE-RECONSTRUCTION-VOLUMETRIC-DOSE-CALCULATION

    CPT 77295: 3D Dose Reconstruction and Volumetric Dose Calculation

    CPT-77299-THERAPEUTIC-RADIOLOGY-TREATMENT-PLANNING-UNLISTED

    CPT 77299: Therapeutic Radiology Clinical Treatment Planning

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
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