Ask Dr. Z

1. Is 77263 applicable (when documented) for the IR physician acting as the sole authorized user (AU) during the Y90 treatment course if a medical physicist (not an AU or MD) performs the dosimetry calculations (77300) but the IR physician (AU) administers the Y90 on treatment day?

2. Why does Coding Strategies Navigator recommend 77263 for reporting Y90 treatment planning? What do you recommend we look for in the documentation to choose a treatment planning CPT code?

3. What is the best resource to learn more about treatment planning codes (77261-77263) & dosimetry calculation code (77300) documentation requirements & application?

Normally when I read Y90 reports there is one access (right common femoral artery) and one treatment area (right or left hepatic artery) and one block prior to Y90 treatment encounter. Based on the Optum encoder lay description that seems to better suite simple treatment planning.