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HCPCS C1717 · Level II · C code

C1717: Brachytherapy source, non-stranded, high dose rate iridium-192, per source, HCPCS Level II C code

Compiled from CMS files by the QuickIntell RCM Editorial Team · Data effective · Method: reference methodology · Report a data correction

Data currency: HCPCS Level II file: October 2026 (effective October 1, 2026); NCCI MUE tables: 2026 Q4 (effective October 1, 2026); NCCI PTP edits: v323r0 (2026 Q4) (effective October 1, 2026); OPPS Addendum B: October 2026 (effective October 1, 2026). Next CMS release: January 1, 2027 (quarterly update).

Key facts for C1717

Medicare payment
$357.49
OPPS rate, SI U
Coverage code
D
special coverage instructions apply
Facility outpatient MUE
10
MAI 3
OPPS status
SI U
Brachytherapy sources
NCCI PTP pairs
0
practitioner file
LCDs and articles
0 / 0

TL;DR

CMS describes HCPCS C1717, added in 2001, as "Brachytherapy source, non-stranded, high dose rate iridium-192, per source". Hospital outpatient departments are paid $357.49 for C1717 under status indicator U, APC 2646 (Brachytx, non-str, HDR Ir-192), minimum unadjusted copayment $71.50 (October 2026 Addendum B). CMS caps C1717 at practitioner 10 (MAI 3, Clinical: Data); hospital outpatient 10 (MAI 3, Clinical: Data) units per day in the 2026 Q4 MUE tables. C1717 appears in no active LCD or billing and coding article, so coverage follows HCPCS coverage code D (special coverage instructions apply) and any NCD. HCPCS record: BETOS I4B (imaging/procedure - other); pricing indicator 53; type of service 6 (therapeutic radiology). 15 other active codes open with "Brachytherapy source"; related codes: C1716, C2616, C1719, C2634.

C1717 descriptor and code status

The October 2026 HCPCS Level II file describes C1717 as “Brachytherapy source, non-stranded, high dose rate iridium-192, per source”. It sits in the C section (hospital outpatient prospective payment system, temporary codes), listed with the other C codes. Although searches often call it the "C1717 CPT code", C1717 is a HCPCS Level II code maintained by CMS, not an AMA CPT code; both go in the same procedure-code field on the claim.

HCPCS file attributes of C1717
FieldValue
Short descriptorBrachytx, non-str,hdr ir-192
Added to HCPCS2001-04-01
Last actionN (no maintenance), effective 2001-04-01
Coverage codeD: special coverage instructions apply
Pricing indicator53: statute
BETOS categoryI4B: imaging/procedure - other
Type of service6: therapeutic radiology
Statute1833(T)

Medicare payment for C1717

Hospital outpatient departments are paid $357.49 for C1717 under status indicator U, APC 2646 (Brachytx, non-str, HDR Ir-192), minimum unadjusted copayment $71.50 (October 2026 Addendum B). The amounts below are national figures from the October 2026 CMS files; the contractor applies the locality, rural or state adjustment and the beneficiary's cost sharing.

Hospital outpatient (OPPS Addendum B)

Status indicator U (Brachytherapy sources), APC 2646 (Brachytx, non-str, HDR Ir-192), national unadjusted payment $357.49 with a minimum unadjusted copayment of $71.50.

Ambulatory surgical center (Addendum BB)

Payment indicator H2 (Brachytherapy source paid separately when provided integral to a surgical procedure on ASC list; payment based on OPPS rate), national rate $357.49 at a payment weight of 6.3473.

Medically Unlikely Edits for C1717

CMS caps C1717 at practitioner 10 (MAI 3, Clinical: Data); hospital outpatient 10 (MAI 3, Clinical: Data) units per day in the 2026 Q4 MUE tables. The facility outpatient MUE is a date-of-service clinical edit: units above the limit deny but can be paid on appeal with documentation.

MUE values for C1717 by setting
SettingMUE (units/DOS)MAICMS rationale
Practitioner services103 Date of Service Edit: ClinicalClinical: Data
Facility outpatient hospital103 Date of Service Edit: ClinicalClinical: Data

The MUE lookup for C1717 shows every setting next to any other code on the same claim.

NCCI edits and add-on rules

No active practitioner PTP pair lists C1717 in v323r0.

C1717 is neither an add-on code nor a designated primary code in the 2026 Q4 NCCI add-on edit file.

Pair counts show exposure, not the answer for one claim. Check C1717 against a second code to see whether the pair bundles and whether a modifier can separate the services.

Medicare coverage policies for C1717

No current LCD or billing and coding article lists C1717. The HCPCS coverage code D means special coverage instructions apply, and any National Coverage Determination for the service still applies.

Denials to expect on C1717

CARC 50 · N115

the service is not reasonable and necessary for the diagnosis on the claim

CARC 151 · N362

units of C1717 exceed the facility outpatient MUE of 10 per date of service

CARC 4

the modifier reported is inconsistent with the code

CARC 16

the claim lacks information needed to adjudicate the line, such as an order, NPI or required modifier

Where QuickIntell fits for C1717 claims

QuickCode supports qualified coder review of units, modifiers and NCCI pairs for C1717 before the claim leaves, and QuickRCM carries claim readiness and the denial follow-up when an edit or coverage policy is missed.

See QuickCode for coder reviewSee QuickRCM for denial follow-upBook a meeting

Frequently asked questions: HCPCS C1717

What does HCPCS code C1717 describe?

"Brachytherapy source, non-stranded, high dose rate iridium-192, per source" (short descriptor "Brachytx, non-str,hdr ir-192"), in the C section (hospital outpatient prospective payment system, temporary codes). Added 2001-04-01.

Is C1717 a CPT code?

It is not. C1717 belongs to the C section (hospital outpatient prospective payment system, temporary codes) of HCPCS Level II, the CMS code set, not to AMA CPT. "C1717 CPT code" searches refer to it.

What does Medicare pay for C1717?

Hospital outpatient departments are paid $357.49 for C1717 under status indicator U, APC 2646 (Brachytx, non-str, HDR Ir-192), minimum unadjusted copayment $71.50 (October 2026 Addendum B).

How many units of C1717 can be billed per day?

CMS caps C1717 at practitioner 10 (MAI 3, Clinical: Data); hospital outpatient 10 (MAI 3, Clinical: Data) units per day in the 2026 Q4 MUE tables. For the facility outpatient MUE (MAI 3), units above 10 deny for the day but can be paid on appeal with documentation; denials arrive as CARC 151.

Does Medicare cover C1717?

C1717 appears in no active LCD or billing and coding article, so coverage follows HCPCS coverage code D (special coverage instructions apply) and any NCD.

Sources

Every figure on this page is taken from the CMS publications below, as released by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Projection built 2026-10-10. Verify against the primary file before billing or contracting decisions. The reference methodology explains how each figure is computed from these files.

Disclaimer

This page is an operational reference compiled from CMS publications: the HCPCS Level II file, the physician, DMEPOS and clinical laboratory fee schedules, OPPS and ASC addenda, NCCI MUE, PTP and add-on edit tables and the Medicare Coverage Database. Amounts are Medicare national figures before locality and state adjustment; Medicaid and commercial payers set their own. CPT codes are shown as numbers only; CPT descriptors are copyright AMA. Nothing here is legal, clinical or billing advice.

Found a figure that does not match the CMS file? Report a data correction with the CMS file and the value you expected; the request reaches the editorial team through the contact form.