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    v1.0.31
    OpenPayerBilling CodesOutpatient PPSHCPCS hcpcs-c9734-focused-ultrasound-mr-guided-ablation
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    HCPCS C9734: Focused Ultrasound Ablation with MR Guidance

    HCPCS Level II code C9734 describes focused ultrasound ablation or other therapeutic focused ultrasound intervention (excluding uterine leiomyomata) performed with magnetic resonance (MR) guidance; the service is a image-guided therapeutic focused ultrasound procedure typically provided as an inpatient or outpatient hospital-based interventional radiology or surgical service using MR guidance and specialized focused ultrasound equipment on a target lesion or tissue.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage Closure Devices for Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation, Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage Closure Devices for Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation, Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage Closure Devices for Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation.

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    Table of contents

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A typical patient is an adult with a focal benign or malignant soft-tissue lesion (for example, a painful osteoid osteoma or a small liver tumor) who is referred for image-guided, noninvasive thermal ablation using focused ultrasound with magnetic resonance guidance. The patient undergoes pre-procedure evaluation including history, physical, lab tests (as indicated), and review of prior imaging to confirm lesion size, location, and MR compatibility. On the day of service the patient is placed supine or prone on the MR table with the ultrasound transducer coupled to the target region. MR sequences are used for planning, realtime thermometry, and post-ablation assessment. The procedure is performed by an interventional radiologist or other qualified physician with MR and focused ultrasound expertise, assisted by MR technologists, nursing staff, and anesthesia as needed. Immediate post-procedure MRI confirms ablation zone and assesses for complications. Typical site of service is an outpatient hospital-based or free-standing ambulatory surgical center with MR capability; inpatient performance occurs when clinically indicated (for example, complex lesion location or medical comorbidity).

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    76937Ultrasound guidance for percutaneous therapeutic or diagnostic injection (e.g., guidance for biopsy or injection)May be used when ultrasound guidance is used for ancillary injections or targeting during planning; not typically primary for MR-guided focused ultrasound but used in hybrid workflows.
    77021Magnetic resonance guidance for needle placement (e.g., for biopsy, aspiration, or injection)Used for MR guidance when needle placement is needed in the same session for adjunctive procedures; complements MR-guided focused ultrasound workflows.
    77047Magnetic resonance imaging, guidance for ablation, including monitoring (separate from primary ablation code)Represents MR guidance and thermometry components that are integral to MR-guided thermal ablation workflows; may be reported per payer rules when separation of guidance imaging is permitted.
    95992Focused ultrasound treatment(s) for essential tremor, including MRI guidance (example of focused ultrasound CPT family)Provides context that focused ultrasound procedures have dedicated CPT descriptors in other clinical indications; useful for crosswalks when determining coding strategy for non-uterine indications.
    96372Therapeutic, prophylactic, or diagnostic injection (subcutaneous or intramuscular)May be reported for periprocedural medications or adjunct injections when separately reportable and documented.

    Related Modifiers

    12 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    22Modifier –22 (Increased Procedural Services) is used when a reported procedure is substantially more extensive than normally required. The CPT Manual and CMS state it may be appended only when the…- When to use: Append modifier -22 to a procedural CPT code when the service performed is substantially more extensive than the usual service described by that code — i.e., the procedure required…
    23Modifier -23 (Unusual Anesthesia) is used on anesthesia service CPT codes when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia…- Use modifier -23 only on anesthesia CPT codes (00100–01999) when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia because of…
    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…
    51Modifier –51 (Multiple Procedures) is used when the same provider performs multiple procedures in the same session to identify secondary, non‑exempt procedures and indicate payment reduction logic…- Use modifier -51 when the same provider performs multiple distinct procedures during the same patient encounter: report the highest‑valued procedure first (no modifier) and append -51 to…
    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…
    54Modifier ‑54 (“Surgical care only”) is appended to a CPT surgical procedure when the reporting surgeon performs the intraoperative (surgical) component but does not furnish the preoperative and/or…- Use modifier -54 when the reporting surgeon provided only the intraoperative (surgical) component of a procedure and preoperative and/or postoperative management has been or will be provided by…
    55Modifier –55 indicates the billing provider furnished only postoperative management for a procedure that has a global surgical period. According to AAPC, this modifier is appended to the same CPT…- Use modifier -55 when billing the same CPT surgical code that has a 10- or 90-day global period and you, as a provider other than the original surgeon, furnished ONLY postoperative management (no…
    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…
    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…

    Showing 1–10 of 12

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    2080P0207X
    3336M0002X
    163WR0400X
    1223P0221X
    1835C0207X
    246ZN0300X
    207RB0002X
    3418M1130X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    27 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    C49.9Malignant neoplasm of connective and soft tissue, unspecified
    C61Malignant neoplasm of prostate
    C67.9Malignant neoplasm of bladder, unspecified
    C71.9Malignant neoplasm of brain, unspecified
    C78.7Secondary malignant neoplasm of liver and intrahepatic bile duct
    C79.11Secondary malignant neoplasm of bladder
    C79.31Secondary malignant neoplasm of brain
    C79.81Secondary malignant neoplasm of breast
    D33.9Benign neoplasm of central nervous system, unspecified
    D43.9Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of central nervous system, unspecified

    Showing 1–10 of 27

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Cardiology1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage Closure Devices for Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillationpremerabluecrossofwashington2027-02-05
    Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage Closure Devices for Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillationpremerabluecrossofwashington2027-02-05
    Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage Closure Devices for Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillationpremerabluecrossofwashington2027-02-05
    Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage Closure - Medical PolicyHealth-New-England2027-02-01
    Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair Medical PolicyHealth-New-England2027-02-01
    Cardiac Electrophysiological (EP) Studies and Cardiac Ablation of Abnormal Electrical RhythmsCigna2027-01-15
    Outpatient Cardiology Procedures for EviCore Arrangement (for Oxford Only)Colorado Rocky Mountain Health Plans2026-11-01
    Biomarkers for Myocardial Infarction and Chronic Heart Failure Reimbursement PolicyHealthfirst2026-11-01
    Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage Closure Devices for Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillationpremerabluecrossofwashington2026-11-01
    Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage Closure Devices for Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillationpremerabluecrossofwashington2026-11-01

    Related Codes

    HCPCS-C1713-IMPLANTABLE-ANCHOR-SCREW-BONE-FIXATION

    HCPCS C1713: Anchor/Screw for Bone or Soft Tissue Fixation (Implantable)

    HCPCS-C1714-TRANSLUMINAL-DIRECTIONAL-ATHERECTOMY-CATHETER

    HCPCS C1714: Catheter, transluminal atherectomy, directional

    HCPCS-C1715-BRACHYTHERAPY-NEEDLE

    HCPCS C1715: Brachytherapy Needle

    HCPCS-C1716-BRACHYTHERAPY-GOLD-198-SOURCE

    HCPCS C1716: Brachytherapy Source, Gold-198, Per Source

    HCPCS-C1717-HDR-BRACHYTHERAPY-IRIDIUM-192-SOURCE

    HCPCS C1717: HDR Iridium-192 Brachytherapy Source, Per Source

    HCPCS-C1719-BRACHYTHERAPY-IRIDIUM-192-SOURCE-NON-STRANDED

    HCPCS C1719: Brachytherapy Source, Iridium-192, Non-Stranded

    HCPCS-C1721-IMPLANTABLE-DUAL-CHAMBER-CARDIOVERTER-DEFIBRILLATOR

    HCPCS C1721: Cardioverter-Defibrillator, Dual Chamber (Implantable)

    HCPCS-C1724-ROTATIONAL-TRANSLUMINAL-ATHERECTOMY-CATHETER

    HCPCS Level II C1724: Rotational Transluminal Atherectomy Catheter

    HCPCS-C1725-TRANSLUMINAL-ANGIOPLASTY-CATHETER-NON-LASER

    HCPCS Level II C1725: Transluminal Angioplasty Catheter, Non-Laser

    HCPCS-C1726-NON-VASCULAR-BALLOON-DILATATION-CATHETER

    HCPCS C1726: Catheter, Balloon Dilatation, Non-Vascular

    Showing 1–10 of 603

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    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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