Summary & Overview
CPT 92974: Coronary Brachytherapy Adjunct to Stenosis Treatment
CPT code 92974 represents intra‑procedural brachytherapy performed at the same session as treatment of coronary arterial stenosis. The code captures placement of radioactive seeds near a site of arterial blockage as an adjunct to techniques used to restore vessel patency. While less common since the advent of modern drug‑eluting stents, this code remains relevant for documenting specialized implantable radiation therapy performed during interventional cardiology procedures.
Key payers in this national analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find clinical context for when brachytherapy is used as an adjunct to stenosis treatment, the typical site of service (hospital catheterization laboratory or interventional suite), and payer coverage considerations at a high level. Data limitations in the input are noted where applicable: associated taxonomies, ICD‑10 diagnoses, and specific related procedure codes are not provided.
This publication summarizes benchmarks, coding guidance, and policy considerations relevant to documentation and claims for CPT code 92974, and outlines what to review when evaluating coverage and reimbursement for intra‑procedural coronary brachytherapy across major national payers.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 92974 describes intra-procedural brachytherapy performed at the same session as treatment of arterial stenosis. In this procedure, the provider places radioactive seeds near the site of an arterial blockage to help keep coronary arteries open following an intervention to treat stenosis.
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Service type: Intra-procedural brachytherapy adjunct to coronary stenosis treatment
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Typical site of service: Hospital-based cardiac catheterization laboratory or interventional cardiology suite
Data not available in the input for associated taxonomies, ICD-10 diagnoses, and related codes.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient is an adult with symptomatic coronary artery disease who undergoes percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) with stent placement for focal in-stent restenosis or de novo stenosis. During the same catheterization session, the interventional cardiologist performs intracoronary brachytherapy (CPT 92974) by placing a radiation source (e.g., radioactive seeds or a radiation delivery catheter) at the site of restenosis to inhibit neointimal hyperplasia and reduce recurrent restenosis risk. The workflow includes pre-procedure evaluation (history, cardiac risk assessment, consent), diagnostic coronary angiography to define the lesion, lesion preparation and balloon angioplasty with or without stent revision, placement of the brachytherapy delivery device, delivery of the prescribed radiation dose, device removal, hemostasis at the vascular access site, and post-procedure monitoring in a cardiac observation or inpatient setting. Typical site of service is a hospital-based cardiac catheterization laboratory or an outpatient ambulatory surgery center with angiography capabilities. Patients commonly have ischemic symptoms (angina or acute coronary syndrome), documented lesion restenosis by angiography, prior stent placement, and require antiplatelet management coordinated with the procedural team.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
26 | Professional component |