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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesClinical Brachytherapy Radiation TreatmentCPT cpt-77761-intracavitary-brachytherapy-implant
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    CPT 77761: Intracavitary Brachytherapy, 1–4 Sources

    Medicare pays $294 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 77761 describes an intracavitary brachytherapy procedure in which the provider places one to four radioactive sources within a body cavity (for example the vagina, prostate, or bronchial tree) to treat cancer; service type: internal radiation implant placement (brachytherapy); typical site of service: hospital outpatient department, ambulatory surgery center, or radiation oncology clinic where brachytherapy implants are performed.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Field Stimulation for Functional Abdominal Pain Disorders, Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) Coverage Policy, Radiofrequency Therapy for Fecal Incontinence.

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    Table of contents

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A typical patient is a 68-year-old man with localized intermediate-risk prostate adenocarcinoma who presents for brachytherapy implantation. After multidisciplinary review and staging with prostate biopsy and MRI, the radiation oncology team schedules implantation of radioactive seeds to deliver high-dose-rate or low-dose-rate radiation directly into the prostate. The workflow includes pre-procedure imaging and treatment planning, informed consent, anesthesia (local with sedation or general), transrectal ultrasound or CT guidance for catheter and applicator placement, placement of one to four radioactive sources or multiple seeds into the prostate gland, intraoperative dosimetry verification, and postoperative instructions for activity restrictions and radiation safety. Typical monitoring includes recovery from anesthesia, assessment for urinary retention or bleeding, and outpatient follow-up with radiation oncology and urology for PSA surveillance and management of urinary or rectal side effects.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    77761Interstitial radiation source placement, one to four sources, intracavitary or interstitialPrimary procedure — placement of radioactive sources into a body cavity or tissue for cancer treatment
    55875Insertion of temporary prostate brachytherapy guidance and monitoring components (includes ultrasound guidance and placement of needles), perineal approach; HDR or LDROften performed immediately before or during prostate brachytherapy for needle placement and guidance
    77295Therapeutic radiology dose planning; complexUsed for complex treatment planning and dosimetry calculations supporting source placement and dose optimization
    77301Radiation therapy portal/field simulation and localizationPerformed for patient setup and verification of target localization prior to source placement when applicable
    77470Special treatment procedure, complex, includes intraoperative dosimetryUsed when intraoperative dosimetry or special complex procedures are required during brachytherapy

    Related Modifiers

    8 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…
    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…
    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…
    82Modifier 82 is appended to a surgical CPT code to indicate that an attending physician acted as an assistant because a qualified resident surgeon was unavailable. In teaching hospitals it documents…- When to use: Append modifier 82 in teaching-hospital settings to indicate a physician served as an assistant surgeon because a qualified resident surgeon was unavailable (includes situations where…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    208100000X
    208800000X
    208600000X
    208000000X
    163WP0218X
    344600000X
    246QM0900X
    172P00000X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    25 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    C16.9Malignant neoplasm of stomach, unspecified
    C22.0Liver cell carcinoma
    C25.9Malignant neoplasm of pancreas, unspecified
    C34.90Malignant neoplasm of unspecified part of unspecified bronchus or lung
    C43.9Malignant melanoma of skin, unspecified
    C44.92Squamous cell carcinoma of skin, unspecified
    C45.9Mesothelioma, unspecified
    C49.9Malignant neoplasm of connective and soft tissue, unspecified
    C50.912Malignant neoplasm of unspecified site of left female breast
    C53.1Malignant neoplasm of exocervix

    Showing 1–10 of 25

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Gastroenterology1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Field Stimulation for Functional Abdominal Pain Disordersbcbsvermont2026-12-01
    Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) Coverage Policyevicore2026-11-05
    Radiofrequency Therapy for Fecal IncontinenceCigna2026-10-15
    Magnetic Sphincter Augmentation for the Treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)univerahealthcare2026-10-15
    High-Resolution Anoscopy (HRA)Premera Bluecross2026-10-01
    Gastroesophageal and Gastrointestinal (GI) Services and ProceduresColorado Rocky Mountain Health Plans2026-10-01
    Serum Testing for Hepatic Fibrosis in the Evaluation and Monitoring of Chronic Liver DiseaseOscar Health2026-10-01
    Fecal Analysis in the Diagnosis of Intestinal Dysbiosis and Fecal Microbiota Transplant TestingOscar Health2026-10-01
    Pancreatic Enzyme Testing for Acute PancreatitisOscar Health2026-10-01
    Helicobacter pylori TestingOscar Health2026-10-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-77750-INTRATUMORAL-RADIOELEMENT-INFUSION-HOSPITAL-ADMISSION-FOLLOW-UP

    CPT 77750: Radioelement Instillation to Destroy Tumor Cells

    CPT-77762-BRACHYTHERAPY-INTRACAVITARY-INTERSTITIAL-IMPLANT

    CPT 77762: Intracavitary Brachytherapy with 5–10 Sources

    CPT-77763-INTRACAVITARY-BRACHYTHERAPY-MULTI-SOURCE-IMPLANTATION

    CPT 77763: Intracavitary Brachytherapy, >10 Radioactive Sources

    CPT-77767-SURFACE-BRACHYTHERAPY-SKIN-TUMOR-SMALL-LESION

    CPT 77767: High-Dose-Rate Brachytherapy for Skin Tumor ≤2.0 cm

    CPT-77768-SURFACE-BRACHYTHERAPY-SKIN-TUMOR-LARGE-OR-MULTIPLE-LESIONS

    CPT 77768: Surface Brachytherapy for Skin Tumor >2.0 cm

    CPT-77770-SINGLE-CHANNEL-BRACHYTHERAPY-CATHETER-PLACEMENT

    CPT 77770: Single-Channel Interstitial or Intracavitary Brachytherapy

    CPT-77771-BRACHYTHERAPY-INTERSTITIAL-INTRACAVITARY-MULTI-CHANNEL

    CPT 77771: Interstitial or Intracavitary Brachytherapy, 2–12 Channels

    CPT-77772-HIGH-DOSE-RATE-MULTI-CHANNEL-BRACHYTHERAPY

    CPT 77772: Interstitial or Intracavitary Brachytherapy, >12 Channels

    CPT-77778-INTERSTITIAL-BRACHYTHERAPY-MORE-THAN-10-SOURCES

    CPT 77778: Interstitial Brachytherapy, >10 Radioactive Sources

    CPT-77789-LOW-DOSE-RATE-SURFACE-BRACHYTHERAPY

    CPT 77789: Low–Dose–Rate Surface Brachytherapy

    Showing 1–10 of 12

    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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