Summary & Overview
HCPCS C2644: Cesium-131 Brachytherapy Source, Per Millicurie
HCPCS Level II code C2644 identifies a brachytherapy source composed of cesium-131 chloride solution, billed per millicurie. This material is used in internal radiation therapy where radioactive solution is placed in or near malignant tissue to deliver targeted radiation. Nationally, accurate coding of radionuclide sources affects reimbursement, inventory tracking, and clinical documentation for oncology and radiation oncology services.
Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of clinical context for use of cesium-131 brachytherapy sources, expected sites of service (hospital outpatient departments and ambulatory surgical centers), and the implications for billing lines that list radioactive source supplies billed on a per-millicurie basis. The publication summarizes common modifiers applicable to supply and technical components, notes where data were not provided, and outlines what benchmarking and policy considerations typically matter for this category of HCPCS supplies.
This summary serves as a national reference for coding, clinical setting alignment, and payer coverage considerations relevant to providers, billing professionals, and policy analysts working with brachytherapy radionuclide supplies.
Billing Code Overview
HCPCS Level II code C2644 denotes a brachytherapy source formulated as cesium-131 chloride solution and is billed per millicurie. The code represents the radioactive material used for internal radiation therapy delivered directly to or near a tumor.
Service Type: Brachytherapy radioactive source supply
Typical Site of Service: Hospital outpatient department or ambulatory surgical center
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 diagnosed with a localized cancer amenable to permanent or temporary interstitial brachytherapy using cesium-131 chloride solution. Common primary indications include early-stage prostate carcinoma, head and neck tumors (oral cavity, salivary gland), or selected gynecologic or soft-tissue malignancies where an implantable radioactive solution is appropriate. The patient is evaluated in radiation oncology, with multidisciplinary input from urology, otolaryngology, gynecologic oncology, or surgical oncology as indicated. Pre-procedure steps include imaging (CT, MRI, or ultrasound) for tumor localization and treatment planning, informed consent, and dosimetry planning by a medical physicist. On the day of service, the patient is brought to a procedure suite or operating room; under local or general anesthesia, the radiation oncologist and surgeon implant cesium-131 chloride sources directly into the tumor bed or resection cavity using needles, catheters, or seeds as planned. A medical physicist verifies source strength in millicurie and confirms placement and dosimetry. Post-procedure monitoring includes recovery from anesthesia, wound care instructions, radiation safety counseling, and scheduled follow-up imaging and clinic visits to assess response and manage toxicity.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
00 | No modifier | Use when no special circumstances apply to the service. |