Summary & Overview
HCPCS C2636: Brachytherapy Linear Source, Palladium-103, Per 1 mm
HCPCS Level II code C2636 denotes a brachytherapy linear source, non-stranded, palladium-103, billed per 1 mm. The code captures the supply unit of palladium-103 linear sources used in interstitial or intracavitary brachytherapy and is relevant to radiation oncology providers and payers managing cancer treatment supplies. Nationally, accurate use of this HCPCS Level II code supports consistent claims processing, supply cost tracking, and clinical documentation for procedures that rely on palladium-103 seeds.
Key payers addressed include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of the code’s clinical context, typical site of service, and the types of benchmarking and policy details commonly associated with HCPCS supply codes for brachytherapy isotopes. The publication outlines typical billing practice elements, common modifiers associated with the broader service line (provided in metadata), and notes where input data is not available.
The content emphasizes: what the code represents; why precise coding matters for reimbursement and supply accounting; and what to expect in benchmarking and policy discussions for brachytherapy supply codes. Data not available in the input is identified where applicable.
Billing Code Overview
HCPCS Level II code C2636 describes a brachytherapy linear source, non-stranded, palladium-103, billed per 1 mm. This code covers the supply component of a radioactive seed or linear source used in brachytherapy procedures when palladium-103 is the isotope and the source is non-stranded.
Service type: Brachytherapy source supply
Typical site of service: Radiation oncology departments or outpatient surgical/procedural suites
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient is a man in his 60s diagnosed with localized prostate cancer who is scheduled for permanent interstitial brachytherapy using non‑stranded palladium‑103 seeds. The clinical workflow begins with multidisciplinary evaluation by a radiation oncologist and urologist, staging with prostate biopsy and imaging (transrectal ultrasound, MRI), and treatment planning with a preoperative dosimetry study. On the day of the procedure, the patient is brought to a procedure suite or operating room equipped for image‑guided brachytherapy; conscious sedation or general anesthesia is administered. Under transrectal ultrasound (and sometimes fluoroscopic or CT) guidance, the radiation oncologist implants multiple C2636 linear palladium‑103 non‑stranded sources into the prostate via transperineal needles according to the treatment plan. Intraoperative dosimetry adjustments are made as needed; postoperative imaging confirms seed placement and dose distribution. Typical site of service is an ambulatory surgery center, hospital outpatient department, or hospital operating room. Common clinical follow‑up includes uroflow/continence assessment and PSA monitoring with radiation oncology outpatient visits.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
00 | No modifier (default) | Use when no special circumstances apply to the service. |