Does 77401 require prior authorization?

Yes, 77401 requires prior authorization (medium confidence). Conditional coverage; review criteria to confirm PA need.

`77401`

HCPCS/CPT

Prior Auth Required

Conditional coverage; review criteria to confirm PA need (medium confidence)

Medical records must support medical necessity for simulation, fractionation regimen, dosing, dosimetry, medical physics evaluation, and any changes in ongoing treatment regimens.
The medical record must include the patient’s primary diagnosis, history of present illness, active comorbidities, performance status (when applicable), relevant imaging reports, proposed treatment plan, number/location/size of tumors, disease stage, and the anatomic site of radiation delivery.
Every page of the medical record must be legible, include appropriate patient identification (e.g., full name, dates of service), and contain the legible signature and credentials of the responsible treating clinician, dosimetrist, physicist or radiation therapist.
The treatment plan/prescription must be present and define treatment goals and requirements, including specific dose constraints for targets and nearby critical structures (organs at risk).

Superficial radiation therapy (SRT) for nonmelanoma skin cancers (NMSC) is payable only when delivered in a non-facility setting (freestanding radiation therapy centers or physician offices that meet freestanding RT center requirements).
Coverage requires documentation that SRT is medically necessary over other conventional treatments, including a provider statement that the patient is a nonsurgical candidate and documentation of the informed discussion with the patient about present and future RT risks and why SRT is preferred.
SRT is indicated for treatment of nonmelanoma skin cancers (NMSC) when medical necessity is documented in the medical record.
SRT may be used when the treating provider documents that the patient is a nonsurgical candidate for lesion-directed surgery.
SRT may be used when the provider documents a patient discussion showing SRT is preferred and includes present and future risks of radiation therapy.
SRT for nonmelanoma skin cancers (NMSC) is payable only when delivered in a non-facility setting (freestanding radiation therapy centers or physician offices that meet state requirements).

L40192 — Superficial Radiation Therapy (SRT) for the Treatment of Nonmelanoma Skin Cancers (NMSC)

J05

A60212 — Billing and Coding: Superficial Radiation Therapy (SRT) for the Treatment of Nonmelanoma Skin Cancers (NMSC)

J05

L40167 — Superficial Radiation Therapy (SRT) for the Treatment of Nonmelanoma Skin Cancers (NMSC)

J06

A60177 — Billing and Coding: Superficial Radiation Therapy (SRT) for the Treatment of Nonmelanoma Skin Cancers (NMSC)

J06

Ask Verity about documentation requirements, denial risks, or coverage in your state.