Oncology & Hematology Coding Alert

Question: The senior oncologist in our practice has instructed us to use 96545 to reflect our efforts in mixing the chemotherapy agents. In a previous job, I was told that any preparation is considered bundled into the appropriate chemotherapy administration code. Is that true? If so, how is 96545 appropriately used?

New Mexico Subscriber

Answer: You are correct. Mixing and preparation of chemotherapy agents is bundled into the applicable chemotherapy administration codes, e.g., 96414, Chemotherapy administration, intravenous; infusion technique, initiation of prolonged infusion (more than eight hours), requiring the use of a portable or implantable pump.

The chemotherapy guidelines on page 369 of the 2002 CPT manual state, "Preparation of chemotherapy agent(s) is included in the service for administration of the agent." Therefore, it would not be appropriate to report the mixing of the chemotherapy drugs with 96545 (Provision of chemotherapy agent). Instead this code is correctly used to reflect the acquisition or provision of a chemotherapy agent.