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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesClinical Brachytherapy Radiation TreatmentCPT cpt-77767-surface-brachytherapy-skin-tumor-small-lesion
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    CPT 77767: High-Dose-Rate Brachytherapy for Skin Tumor ≤2.0 cm

    Medicare pays $174 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 77767 describes a high-dose-rate brachytherapy procedure in which a radioactive source is applied to treat a skin tumor up to 2.0 cm in diameter or a single-channel applicator is placed directly on or near the skin surface; the service includes preloading dose calculation when performed. This is a radiation oncology service typically delivered in an outpatient clinic or hospital radiation therapy suite for treatment of superficial cutaneous malignancies or lesions.

    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 68-year-old patient presents to a dermatology-oncology clinic with a biopsy-confirmed primary cutaneous basal cell carcinoma measuring 1.2 cm in greatest diameter on the lateral nose. The lesion is superficial-to-mid dermal and located in a cosmetically sensitive area. After multidisciplinary review, the decision is made to proceed with high-dose-rate (HDR) surface brachytherapy using a single-channel applicator directly on the skin surface to deliver a localized radiation dose.

    The clinical workflow includes: a consultation visit documenting lesion size, location, pathology, performance status, and informed consent; treatment planning with surface molding and imaging as needed; dose calculation and loading of the radioactive source into the applicator; delivery of the prescribed fractionated HDR brachytherapy; and post-treatment follow-up for wound care and toxicity assessment. The procedure requires coordination among the radiation oncologist, medical physicist (dose calculation and source loading verification), dosimetrist, and treatment therapist. Billing captures the application of a high energy radioactive substance to a skin tumor up to 2.0 cm in diameter or a single-channel surface treatment, including pre-loading dose calculation when performed, as defined by 77767.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    77767High-energy radioactive substance, for skin tumor up to 2.0 cm or single-channel surface applicator, includes dose calculation when performedPrimary procedure for HDR surface brachytherapy of small skin tumors
    77300Special radiation physics consultation, treatment planning, and dosimetryPerformed when complex treatment planning or dosimetry is required in conjunction with brachytherapy
    77295Therapeutic radiology simulation-aided field setting or beam simulation; complexUsed during simulation or field setup when image-based planning for surface brachytherapy is needed
    51715Data not available in the input.Data not available in the input.
    57455Data not available in the input.Data not available in the input.

    Related Modifiers

    9 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…
    57CPT® modifier -57 (“Decision for Surgery”) is appended to an Evaluation and Management (E/M) service when that encounter results in the initial decision to perform a major surgery (a procedure with a…- Use modifier 57 when an E/M service provided by the same provider (or same tax ID) on the day of or the day before a major surgical procedure (90‑day global period) results in the initial decision…
    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…
    73Modifier 73 indicates a facility-level outpatient hospital or ASC procedure that was discontinued after the patient was prepared and taken to the procedure/operating room but before any anesthesia…- When to use: Apply CPT modifier 73 on the FACILITY (outpatient hospital or ASC) claim when the patient has been fully prepared and physically taken into the procedure/operating room but the…
    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
    2085R0202X
    363L00000X
    208000000X
    235Z00000X
    363LF0000X
    207VC0300X
    207RI0008X
    207PS0010X

    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-77761-INTRACAVITARY-BRACHYTHERAPY-IMPLANT

    CPT 77761: Intracavitary Brachytherapy, 1–4 Sources

    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-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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