Reader Question:
280.x Lands on List for Iron Therapy NCD
Published on Tue Jan 17, 2012
Question: When a national coverage determination doesn't specify which codes to use, how do we know which particular codes apply?Nevada SubscriberAnswer: When a national coverage determination (NCD) doesn't list specific codes for use, your next step should be to check for a local coverage determination (LCD) or local payer policy.For example: Palmetto GBA offers a list titled "J1 A/B MAC Palmetto GBA Assigned ICD-9-CM Codes for National Coverage Determinations." It doesn't supply codes for all NCDs, but it's a good starting point for J1 providers. It features codes for items including:Anti-Inhibitor Coagulant Complex (AICC) Autologous Cellular Immunotherapy Treatment of Metastatic Prostate Cancer Intravenous Iron Therapy Stem Cell Transplantation.Check the list, and you'll see that covered codes for IV iron therapy include:280.0, Iron deficiency anemia secondary to blood loss (chronic)280.1, Iron deficiency anemia secondary to inadequate dietary iron intake280.8, Other specified iron deficiency anemias280.9, Iron deficiency anemia, unspecified285.1, Acute posthemorrhagic anemia285.21, [...]