Anesthesia Coding Alert
Report J3301 for Either Generic or Brand Name Version
Question: My doctor is using Kenalog 40 (NDC 0003029328) from Bristol Meyers Squibb. He says HCPCS J3301 is not the correct code to bill because that is a generic code. Is there a different code to differentiate generics from non-generic when billing?
Answer: For Kenalog injections, you should use J3300 (Injection, triamcinolone acetonide, preservative free, 1 mg) or J3301 (Injection, triamcinolone acetonide, not otherwise specified, 10 mg) for the Kenalog itself.
Pointer: Pay careful attention to the code descriptors when reporting units. For J3300, you should report 1 unit per 1 mg. In contrast, you should report 1 unit per 10 mg for J3301.
These are the codes you should use, regardless of the company you get the Kenalog from. Kenalog is the brand name, and the generic drug name is triamcinolone acetonide. The HCPCS tabular listing is arranged by generic drug name. If you look up triamcinolone acetonide you’ll see it lists J3300 and J3301 as the proper codes. The HCPCS drug table listing contains brand name as well. When you look up Kenalog it refers you to triamcinolone acetonide.
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