Medicare Benefits Schedule - Item 15715

Search Results for Item 15715

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Category 3 - THERAPEUTIC PROCEDURES

15715

15715 - Additional Information

Item Start Date:
01-Jan-2016
Description Updated:
01-Jan-2016
Schedule Fee Updated:
01-Nov-2023

Group
T2 - Radiation Oncology
Subgroup
7 - Radiation Oncology Treatment Verification

RADIATION ONCOLOGY TREATMENT VERIFICATION of planar or volumetric IGRT for IMRT, involving the use of at least 2 planar image views or projections or 1 volumetric image set to facilitate a 3-dimensional adjustment to radiation treatment field positioning, if:

(a) the treatment technique is classified as IMRT; and

(b) the margins applied to volumes (clinical target volume or planning target volume) are tailored or reduced to minimise treatment related exposure of healthy or normal tissues; and

(c) the decisions made using acquired images are based on action algorithms and are given effect immediately prior to or during treatment delivery by qualified and trained staff considering complex competing factors and using software driven modelling programs; and

(d) the radiation treatment field positioning requires accuracy levels of less than 5mm (curative cases) or up to 10mm (palliative cases) to ensure accurate dose delivery to the target; and

(e) the image decisions and actions are documented in the patient's record; and

(f) the radiation oncologist is responsible for supervising the process, including specifying the type and frequency of imaging, tolerance and action levels to be incorporated in the process, reviewing the trend analysis and any reports and relevant images during the treatment course and specifying action protocols as required; and

(g) when treatment adjustments are inadequate to satisfy treatment protocol requirements, replanning is required; and

(h) the imaging infrastructure (hardware and software) is linked to the treatment unit and networked to an image database, enabling both on line and off line reviews.

Fee: $84.30 Benefit: 75% = $63.25 85% = $71.70

(See para TN.2.4 of explanatory notes to this Category)


Associated Notes

Category 3 - THERAPEUTIC PROCEDURES

TN.2.4

Treatment Verification - (Items 15700 to 15705, 15710, 15715 and 15800)

In these items, 'treatment verification' means:

A quality assurance procedure designed to facilitate accurate and reproducible delivery of the radiotherapy/brachytherapy to the prescribed site(s) or region(s) of the body as defined in the treatment prescription and/or associated dose plan(s) and which utilises the capture and assessment of appropriate images using:

(a)        x-rays (this includes portal imaging, either megavoltage or kilovoltage, using a linear accelerator)

(b)        computed tomography; or

(c)        ultrasound, where the ultrasound equipment is capable of producing  images in at least three dimensions (unidimensional ultrasound is not covered); together with a record of the assessment(s) and any correction(s) of  significant treatment delivery inaccuracies detected. 

Item 15700 covers the acquisition of images in one plane and incorporates both single or double exposures. The item may be itemised once only per attendance for treatment, irrespective of the number of treatment sites verified at that attendance. 

Item 15705 (multiple projections) applies where images in more that one plane are taken, for example orthogonal views to confirm the isocentre.  It can be itemised only where verification is undertaken of treatments involving three or more fields.   It can be itemised where single projections are acquired for multiple sites, eg multiple metastases for palliative patients.  Item 15705 can be itemized only once per attendance for treatment, irrespective of the number of treatment sites verified at that attendance. 

15710 applies to volumetric verification imaging using acquisition by computed tomography.  It can be itemised only where verification is undertaken of treatments involving three or more fields and only once per attendance for treatment, irrespective of the number of treatment sites verified at that attendance. 

Items 15700, 15705, 15710 and 15715: 

-           may not claimed together for the same attendance at which treatment is rendered

-           must only be itemised when the verification procedure has been prescribed in the treatment plan and the image has been reviewed by a radiation oncologist 

Item 15800 - Benefits are payable once only per attendance at which treatment is verified.

 

Related Items: 15700 15705 15710 15715 15800


Legend

  • Assist - Addition/Deletion of (Assist.)
  • Amend - Amended Description
  • Anaes - Anaesthetic Values Amended
  • Emsn - EMSN Change
  • Fee - Fee Amended
  • Renum - Item Number Change (renumbered)
  • New - New Item
  • NewMin - New Item (previous Ministerial Determination)
  • Qfe - QFE Change