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Oncology & Hematology Coding Alert

Reader Questions:

Keep 96523 for Irrigation-Only Days

Published on Tue Jul 11, 2006

Question: I-ve heard that I should report port flush code 96523 along with transfusion code 36430 even when the port is used for the transfusion. Is this true?

Florida Subscriber Answer: No. CPT 2006 guidelines instruct you not to report 96523 (Irrigation of implanted venous access device for drug delivery systems) when you provide an infusion (or injection) on the same day as the irrigation.
 
So, just as you don't report 96523 on the same day as 90772 (Therapeutic, prophylactic, or diagnostic injection [specify substance or drug]; subcutaneous or intramuscular; see last month's issue), you shouldn't report 96523 on the same day as 36430.
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