Oncology & Hematology Coding Alert

Throw out the old Q codes and bring in the new J codes

There's nothing simple about IVIG coding, and 2006 brought two more changes for you to remember.

1. Choose 90765-90779 for IVIG Administration

Don't use the new-for-2006 chemotherapy administration codes for IVIG, said Lawrence P. Martinelli, MD, of the Infectious Diseases Society of America in his presentation at the AMA's CPT 2006 Coding Symposium. Instead, you should report therapeutic/diagnostic infusion codes 90765-90779 for these services.

Watch for: Both offices and freestanding centers may use G0332 (Services for intravenous infusion of immunoglobulin prior to administration, per infusion encounter [this service is to be billed in conjunction with administration of immunoglobulin]). This code became effective Jan. 1, 2006.

2. Delete Your Old IVIG HCPCS Codes

IVIG codes Q9941-Q9944 haven't been available for long, but HCPCS replaced them with J codes in 2006.

IVIG Codes Effective Jan. 1, 2006:

- J1566--Injection, immune globulin, intravenous, lyophilized (e.g., powder), 500 mg

- J1567--Injection, immune globulin, intravenous, non-lyophilized (e.g., liquid), 500 mg

IVIG Codes Terminated Dec. 31, 2005:

- Q9941--Injection, immune globulin, intravenous, lyophilized, 1 G

- Q9942--Injection, immune globulin, intravenous, lyophilized, 10 MG

- Q9943--Injection, immune globulin, intravenous, non-lyophilized, 1 G

- Q9944--Injection, immune globulin, intravenous, non-lyophilized, 10 MG.

You can download the full list of HCPCS at www.cms.hhs.gov/HCPCSReleaseCodeSets/.