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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesClinical Treatment Planning (External and Internal Sources) for Radiation TreatmentCPT cpt-77290-radiation-treatment-simulation-planning
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    CPT 77290: 3D Radiation Therapy Simulation and Treatment Field Localization

    Medicare pays $308 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 77290 describes three-dimensional radiation therapy simulation used to define the tumor location, size, beam ports, and dose geometry before radiation treatment; this service uses patient CT or MRI data with computerized reconstruction to create a simulated field for precise beam positioning and dose planning, and is typically classified as a radiation therapy simulation/planning service performed in an outpatient radiation oncology department or 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 64-year-old male with a newly diagnosed left-sided non-small cell lung carcinoma is referred to radiation oncology for definitive radiotherapy. Prior to treatment planning, the radiation oncologist orders a CT simulation to define tumor location, size, and relation to critical structures. The patient is positioned supine on the simulation table using immobilization devices (thermoplastic mask and vacuum cushion) to reproduce daily treatment setup. CT images of the thorax are obtained with the patient in treatment position; these images are reconstructed and imported into the treatment planning system. The physician and dosimetrist delineate the gross tumor volume (GTV), clinical target volume (CTV), and organs at risk (OARs), and simulate beam arrangements and entry ports to optimize dose distribution while minimizing exposure to heart, lungs, and spinal cord. The simulation session documents patient positioning, immobilization, imaging parameters, and any motion management (e.g., breath-hold or 4D CT) required for planning. This simulated field data (imaging and beam portals) is used to generate the radiation treatment plan and to guide daily treatment delivery.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    77290Simulation; complexPrimary code for CT/MRI-based simulation with computerized reconstruction and beam portal definition
    77280Therapeutic radiology simulation-aided field size localization; simpleUsed for simpler simulation setups when fewer beams/portals or less complex immobilization are required
    77285Therapeutic radiology simulation-aided field size localization; intermediateApplied for moderate complexity simulations between simple and complex
    77301Special treatment procedures (e.g., intra-operative), treatment devices, and immobilization; radiation treatment devices (placement)Codes for fabrication/placement of immobilization devices or special procedures associated with simulation workflow
    77336Continuing medical physics consultation; review of treatment plan and dose distributionPerformed after simulation when the physicist reviews and verifies dose distributions and plan integrity
    77401Radiation treatment management, 5 fractionsRepresents ongoing management codes billed during the course of radiotherapy that follow initial simulation and planning

    Related Modifiers

    10 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…
    50Modifier –50 (Bilateral Procedure) is appended to a CPT code when an identical procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures during the same operative session. The AMA states to add…- Use modifier -50 when the same CPT surgical, diagnostic, or radiology procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures (both sides of the body) during the same operative/session by the same…
    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…
    62Modifier 62 indicates that two surgeons function as co‑surgeons, each performing distinct parts of the same primary surgical procedure. It is appended to the primary procedure code (and any…- Use modifier -62 when two surgeons act as co‑surgeons (both primary surgeons) on a single definitive primary procedure, each performing distinct parts of the same surgical procedure (append -62 to…
    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…
    95Modifier 95 indicates that a service was provided via synchronous, real‑time audio‑video telehealth rather than in‑person. Per CMS, AAPC and professional associations, append modifier 95 to claim…- Use modifier 95 to indicate a service was furnished via synchronous, real‑time audiovisual telehealth (a live audio‑video conference between patient and provider) rather than in‑person. - Pair…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    2084P0800X
    207L00000X
    207K00000X
    207RM1200X
    2088P0231X
    172P00000X
    213E00000X
    207QS1201X

    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-77280-RADIATION-THERAPY-SIMULATION-SIMPLE

    CPT 77280: Simple Radiation Therapy Simulation and Port Localization

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

    CPT 77285: Radiation Therapy Simulation for Port 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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