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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesMechanical Scalp Cooling ProceduresCPT cpt-97009-scalp-cooling-after-chemotherapy
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    CPT 97009: Scalp Cooling Continued After Chemotherapy

    Medicare pays $7 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 97009 describes continuation of scalp cooling provided after a chemotherapy infusion ends, billed as an add-on service for each 30 minutes of post-infusion cooling; service type: therapeutic scalp cooling/session-based adjunct to chemotherapy, typical site of service: outpatient infusion center or oncology clinic.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Hematology - Adzynma, Tumor Treating Fields for Pancreatic Cancer, Axicabtagene ciloleucel (Yescarta®) coverage.

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A typical patient scenario involves an adult undergoing cytotoxic intravenous chemotherapy for a solid tumor (for example, early-stage breast cancer) who opts for scalp cooling to reduce the risk of chemotherapy-induced alopecia. The infusion session is completed in an outpatient oncology infusion center or hospital outpatient infusion suite. After the chemotherapy infusion ends, trained nursing staff or a certified technician continue scalp cooling using a refrigerated scalp cooling cap system. The scalp cooling continuation is billed in 30-minute increments using 97009 for each additional half-hour of cooling provided after infusion completion. The workflow includes verifying the scalp cooling order, documenting start and stop times, monitoring patient tolerance (vital signs, comfort, scalp skin integrity), and recording device serial or lot identifiers per facility policy. Typical site of service is an outpatient infusion center, ambulatory infusion clinic, or hospital outpatient department. Service type: post-infusion scalp cooling therapy provided as an add-on time-based service.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    96413Chemotherapy administration, IV infusion, each additional hour (list separately in addition to primary)Primary chemotherapy infusion service that precedes scalp cooling; scalp cooling is applied after completion
    96365Intravenous infusion, for therapy, prophylaxis, or diagnosis; initial, up to 1 hourRepresents initial infusion time for certain therapies before scalp cooling continuation
    96415Chemotherapy administration, IV infusion, each additional hour (with specific chemotherapy billing)Additional infusion time codes that may be billed during the chemotherapy session prior to scalp cooling
    99070Supplies and materials (e.g., scalp cooling cap supplies)Billing for non-covered supplies or additional reusable disposable items associated with scalp cooling
    G0378Physician or other qualified health care professional standby services during diagnostic or therapeutic cardiovascular procedures (not typically used)Not applicable to scalp cooling; included here only if facility-specific standby or monitoring services are separately billable

    Related Modifiers

    6 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    25CPT modifier 25 indicates that on the same day as another procedure or service, the same physician or other qualified health care professional provided a significant, separately identifiable…- When to apply: Use modifier 25 only on an E/M code to indicate the same provider delivered a significant, separately identifiable E/M service on the same day as another procedure or service — i.e.,…
    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…
    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…
    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…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    163W00000X
    363L00000X
    367500000X
    261QM1300X
    261QR0207X
    207XX0005X
    1223P0300X
    246YR1600X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    28 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    C15.9Malignant neoplasm of esophagus, unspecified
    C18.9Malignant neoplasm of colon, unspecified
    C20Malignant neoplasm of rectum
    C22.0Liver cell carcinoma
    C25.9Malignant neoplasm of pancreas, unspecified
    C34.90Malignant neoplasm of unspecified part of unspecified bronchus or lung
    C50.911Malignant neoplasm of unspecified site of right female breast
    C50.912Malignant neoplasm of unspecified site of left female breast
    C53.9Malignant neoplasm of cervix uteri, unspecified
    C56.9Malignant neoplasm of unspecified ovary

    Showing 1–10 of 28

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Hematology/Oncology1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Hematology - AdzynmaCigna2026-10-15
    Tumor Treating Fields for Pancreatic Cancerselect_health2026-10-01
    Axicabtagene ciloleucel (Yescarta®) coverageBaylor Scott & White Health Plan2026-10-01
    Electric Tumor Treatment Field Therapy (for Kentucky Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Electric Tumor Treatment Field Therapy (for Kansas Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Electric Tumor Treatment Field Therapy (for Idaho Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Brexucabtagene autoleucel (Tecartus) CoverageBaylor Scott & White Health Plan2026-10-01
    Electric Tumor Treatment Field Therapy (for Pennsylvania Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Epithelial Cell Cytology in Breast Cancer Risk AssessmentOscar Health2026-10-01
    Factor VIII ProductsCigna2026-09-15

    Related Codes

    CPT-97007-SCALP-COOLING-DEVICE-MEASURE-FIT-SUPPLY-EDUCATION

    CPT 97007: Scalp Cooling Cap Fitting, Supply, and Patient Education

    CPT-97008-SCALP-COOLING-DURING-CHEMOTHERAPY

    CPT 97008: Scalp Cooling Assistance During Chemotherapy

    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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