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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesRadiation Hyperthermia TreatmentCPT cpt-77600-superficial-hyperthermia-up-to-4cm
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    CPT 77600: Superficial Hyperthermia, Up to 4 cm

    Medicare pays $382 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 77600 describes therapeutic superficial hyperthermia, a procedure that exposes tissue near the surface of a body site to controlled elevated temperatures (up to 113°F) with heating limited to no deeper than 4 cm; the service is a local thermal therapy typically delivered in an outpatient clinic or radiation oncology department and is used as an adjunctive treatment modality to target superficial tumors or lesions.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Intraosseous Basivertebral Nerve Ablation for Child Health Plus (CHP) and Essential Plan (EP) Members, Acupuncture Services Payment Policy, Drug Testing in Pain Management and Substance Use Disorder.

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    Table of contents

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A typical patient is an adult with a superficial soft-tissue or cutaneous malignancy or a localized recurrent tumor near the skin surface referred for adjunctive regional hyperthermia. The patient presents to an outpatient oncology infusion suite or hospital-based radiation oncology department. The clinical workflow begins with a consult by a radiation oncologist or medical oncologist who documents the indication, tumor location, prior treatments (surgery, radiation, chemotherapy), and informed consent for hyperthermia. A pre-procedure assessment includes focused skin and lesion examination, review of implanted devices, and vital signs. On the day of service, nursing prepares the treatment area; the provider positions the hyperthermia applicator over the lesion, confirms surface depth (no deeper than 4 cm), and gradually raises regional tissue temperature up to approximately 113°F while monitoring patient comfort and skin integrity. Continuous temperature monitoring and cardiac/respiratory observation occur throughout the session. Sessions are typically repeated per protocol (multiple fractions over weeks) and combined with radiation therapy or chemotherapy as clinically indicated. Documentation includes diagnosis, treatment site, duration, measured temperatures, patient tolerance, and any complications. Typical site of service is an outpatient oncology clinic, radiation therapy suite, ambulatory surgical center, or hospital outpatient department. Providers commonly involved are radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, and specially trained proceduralists or technologists under physician supervision.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    77295Radiation treatment delivery, complex or specialized; per course (example code for complex treatments)Often paired when hyperthermia is used as an adjunct to external beam radiation; documents the radiation delivery component
    77336Continuing medical physics consultation, patient-specific quality assurance for IMRT/VMAT/other complex therapyUsed when complex planning or quality assurance is required in combined hyperthermia and radiation regimens
    77427Radiation treatment management, per weekBilled by the radiation oncologist for weekly treatment management during combined modality therapy including hyperthermia sessions
    97010Application of a modality to one or more areas; hot or cold packsMay be reported for simple superficial thermal modalities when appropriate and distinct from 77600 (ensure no unbundling)
    99070Supplies and materials (e.g., devices, implants) provided by physicianUsed when special disposables or applicators for hyperthermia are furnished by the provider and eligible for separate billing

    Related Modifiers

    9 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    22Modifier –22 (Increased Procedural Services) is used when a reported procedure is substantially more extensive than normally required. The CPT Manual and CMS state it may be appended only when the…- When to use: Append modifier -22 to a procedural CPT code when the service performed is substantially more extensive than the usual service described by that code — i.e., the procedure required…
    23Modifier -23 (Unusual Anesthesia) is used on anesthesia service CPT codes when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia…- Use modifier -23 only on anesthesia CPT codes (00100–01999) when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia because of…
    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…
    56Modifier ‑56 indicates the reporting provider furnished only the preoperative management for a surgical procedure and did not perform the intraoperative or postoperative care. It is used in…- Use Modifier -56 when a provider performs only the preoperative management in a split‑care situation (one physician manages preop care while a different physician performs the intraoperative…
    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…
    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…
    80CPT® Modifier 80 (Assistant Surgeon) is appended to a surgical CPT code when a physician (MD or DO) provides full, continuous assistance throughout the operative procedure. It is intended only for…- Use CPT Modifier -80 when a physician (MD or DO) serves as an assistant surgeon and provides full, continuous assistance throughout the entire operative procedure; append -80 to the surgical CPT…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207RG0300X
    224P00000X
    282E00000X
    1223D0004X
    246ZA2600X
    246Q00000X
    261QV0200X
    364SA2200X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    28 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    C18.9Malignant neoplasm of colon, unspecified
    C20Malignant neoplasm of rectum
    C34.90Malignant neoplasm of unspecified part of unspecified bronchus or lung
    C43.9Malignant melanoma of skin, unspecified
    C44.90Unspecified malignant neoplasm of skin, unspecified
    C44.91Basal cell carcinoma of skin, unspecified
    C50.911Malignant neoplasm of unspecified site of right female breast
    C61Malignant neoplasm of prostate
    C64.9Malignant neoplasm of unspecified kidney, except renal pelvis
    C67.9Malignant neoplasm of bladder, unspecified

    Showing 1–10 of 28

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Pain Management1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Intraosseous Basivertebral Nerve Ablation for Child Health Plus (CHP) and Essential Plan (EP) Membersuniverahealthcare2027-01-01
    Acupuncture Services Payment Policyfallon_community_health_plan_inc2026-12-01
    Drug Testing in Pain Management and Substance Use Disorderbcbsvermont2026-11-01
    Lysis of Epidural Adhesionsexcellus_health_plan_inc2026-10-15
    Intradiscal Proceduresexcellus_health_plan_inc2026-10-15
    Radiofrequency Facet and Sacroiliac Joint Ablation/ Denervationuniverahealthcare2026-10-15
    Facet Joint Injections/ Medial Branch Blocksuniverahealthcare2026-10-15
    Lysis of Epidural Adhesions (Epidural Adhesiolysis)univerahealthcare2026-10-15
    Epidural Steroid Injections / Selective Nerve Root Block (SNRB)univerahealthcare2026-10-15
    Prolotherapyuniverahealthcare2026-10-15

    Related Codes

    CPT-77605-DEEP-THERAPEUTIC-HYPERTHERMIA

    CPT 77605: Deep Tissue Hyperthermia Treatment

    CPT-77610-INTRATUMORAL-HYPERTHERMIA-PROBE-INSERTION

    CPT 77610: Intratumoral Hyperthermia Probe Placement

    CPT-77615-INVASIVE-TUMOR-DIRECTED-HYPERTHERMIA-MULTIPLE-PROBES

    CPT 77615: Insertion of Probe Array for Tumor Hyperthermia

    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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