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HCPCS C2616 · Level II · C code

C2616: Brachytherapy source, non-stranded, yttrium-90, 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 C2616

Medicare payment
$17,771.01
OPPS rate, SI U
Coverage code
D
special coverage instructions apply
Facility outpatient MUE
1
MAI 3
OPPS status
SI U
Brachytherapy sources
NCCI PTP pairs
22
22 hospital outpatient
LCDs and articles
0 / 0

TL;DR

HCPCS Level II C2616 reads "Brachytherapy source, non-stranded, yttrium-90, per source" in the October 2026 file; it dates from 2001. Hospital outpatient departments are paid $17,771.01 for C2616 under status indicator U, APC 2616 (Brachytx, non-str,Yttrium-90), minimum unadjusted copayment $3,554.21 (October 2026 Addendum B). MUE limits for C2616: practitioner 1 (MAI 3, Clinical: Data); hospital outpatient 1 (MAI 3, Clinical: Data). In the NCCI PTP files v323r0 C2616 appears in 22 practitioner pairs as column 2 and 0 as column 1 (most often with 78201, 78202, 78215), and in 22 hospital outpatient pairs as column 2 and 0 as column 1. No current LCD or billing article lists C2616; its HCPCS coverage code is D (special coverage instructions apply). 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: C1717, C1716, C2634, C2635.

C2616 descriptor and code status

The October 2026 HCPCS Level II file describes C2616 as “Brachytherapy source, non-stranded, yttrium-90, 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 "C2616 CPT code", C2616 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 C2616
FieldValue
Short descriptorBrachytx, non-str,yttrium-90
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 C2616

Hospital outpatient departments are paid $17,771.01 for C2616 under status indicator U, APC 2616 (Brachytx, non-str,Yttrium-90), minimum unadjusted copayment $3,554.21 (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 2616 (Brachytx, non-str,Yttrium-90), national unadjusted payment $17,771.01 with a minimum unadjusted copayment of $3,554.21.

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 $17,771.01 at a payment weight of 315.5252.

Medically Unlikely Edits for C2616

MUE limits for C2616: practitioner 1 (MAI 3, Clinical: Data); hospital outpatient 1 (MAI 3, Clinical: Data). 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 C2616 by setting
SettingMUE (units/DOS)MAICMS rationale
Practitioner services13 Date of Service Edit: ClinicalClinical: Data
Facility outpatient hospital13 Date of Service Edit: ClinicalClinical: Data

The MUE lookup for C2616 shows every setting next to any other code on the same claim.

NCCI edits and add-on rules

In the practitioner PTP file v323r0, C2616 is the column-2 (bundled) code in 22 active pairs, 100% of which allow a modifier and the column-1 code in 0; 3 earlier pairs have been deleted. CMS's most frequent rationale for the bundled pairs: Misuse of Column Two code with Column One code.

Column-1 codes most often paired with C2616 (practitioner)
Column-1 codePairs
78201 (CPT; descriptor licensed by AMA)1
78202 (CPT; descriptor licensed by AMA)1
78215 (CPT; descriptor licensed by AMA)1
78216 (CPT; descriptor licensed by AMA)1
78291 (CPT; descriptor licensed by AMA)1
78300 (CPT; descriptor licensed by AMA)1
78305 (CPT; descriptor licensed by AMA)1
78306 (CPT; descriptor licensed by AMA)1

In the hospital outpatient PTP file v323r0, C2616 is the column-2 (bundled) code in 22 active pairs, 100% of which allow a modifier and the column-1 code in 0; 3 earlier pairs have been deleted. CMS's most frequent rationale for the bundled pairs: Misuse of Column Two code with Column One code.

Column-1 codes most often paired with C2616 (hospital outpatient)
Column-1 codePairs
78201 (CPT; descriptor licensed by AMA)1
78202 (CPT; descriptor licensed by AMA)1
78215 (CPT; descriptor licensed by AMA)1
78216 (CPT; descriptor licensed by AMA)1
78291 (CPT; descriptor licensed by AMA)1
78300 (CPT; descriptor licensed by AMA)1
78305 (CPT; descriptor licensed by AMA)1
78306 (CPT; descriptor licensed by AMA)1

C2616 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 C2616 against a second code to see whether the pair bundles and whether a modifier can separate the services.

Medicare coverage policies for C2616

No current LCD or billing and coding article lists C2616. The HCPCS coverage code D means special coverage instructions apply, and any National Coverage Determination for the service still applies.

Denials to expect on C2616

CARC 50 · N115

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

CARC 151 · N362

units of C2616 exceed the facility outpatient MUE of 1 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 C2616 claims

QuickCode supports qualified coder review of units, modifiers and NCCI pairs for C2616 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 C2616

What does HCPCS code C2616 describe?

"Brachytherapy source, non-stranded, yttrium-90, per source" (short descriptor "Brachytx, non-str,yttrium-90"), in the C section (hospital outpatient prospective payment system, temporary codes). Added 2001-04-01.

Is C2616 a CPT code?

No: CMS maintains C2616 in HCPCS Level II, while the AMA maintains CPT. People do search "C2616 CPT code", and it goes in the same procedure-code field.

What does Medicare pay for C2616?

Hospital outpatient departments are paid $17,771.01 for C2616 under status indicator U, APC 2616 (Brachytx, non-str,Yttrium-90), minimum unadjusted copayment $3,554.21 (October 2026 Addendum B).

How many units of C2616 can be billed per day?

MUE limits for C2616: practitioner 1 (MAI 3, Clinical: Data); hospital outpatient 1 (MAI 3, Clinical: Data). For the facility outpatient MUE (MAI 3), units above 1 deny for the day but can be paid on appeal with documentation; denials arrive as CARC 151.

Does Medicare cover C2616?

No current LCD or billing article lists C2616; its HCPCS coverage code is D (special coverage instructions apply).

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.