Oncology & Hematology Coding Alert

Use initial IV push codes for infusions of 30 minutes or less

Medicare has made things a little clearer for oncology offices reporting initial chemo infusions that last less than half an hour. In a February transmittal, CMS states coders must report initial chemotherapy or therapeutic/diagnostic therapy infusions of 30 minutes or less using an initial IV push code.

This means that when you perform either of these initial infusions and they last 30 minutes or less, you should choose from two codes: G0353 (IV push, single or initial substance/drug) or G0357 (IV, push technique, single or initial substance/drug).

Further, you cannot use G0347 (Intravenous infusion, for therapeutic/diagnostic [specify substance or drug]; initial, up to one hour) or G0359 (Chemotherapy administration, intravenous infusion technique; up to one hour, single or initial substance/drug) if the infusion is less than 30 minutes.

You should report G0353 or G0357 even if the healthcare professional administering the infusion does not continuously administer the infusion and observe the patient.