Reader Question: Billing 90283

Question: I have just been hired by an allergy/asthma clinic that performs in-office IgIV treatment, and I am unclear on the use of CPT code 90283. Can you explain?

Colorado Subscriber

Answer: Code 90283 (Immune globulin [IgIV], human, for intravenous use) identifies the immune globulin product only, and should be reported in addition to the administration codes 90780-90784 as appropriate, according to CPT. Note that both 90283 and the administration codes are modifier -51 (Multiple procedures) exempt and, therefore, are not subject to multiple-procedure payment reductions.

Medicaid and Medicare will cover 90283, with a maximum reimbursement rate of $42.84 per unit, effective Jan. 1, 2001. Each unit of the immune globulin is defined as 500 mg. For example, if 30 grams are provided, 60 units should be billed.