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Oncology & Hematology Coding Alert

Reader Questions:

Let Contractor Guide JW Use

Published on Wed Apr 28, 2010

Question: Is the point of new MLN Matters article MM6711 that modifier JW use is now mandatory for reporting drug waste to Medicare? Louisiana SubscriberAnswer: No. Your contractor still has discretion over whether to require JW (Drug amount discarded/not administered to any patient).Support: Article MM6711 (www2.cms.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/MM6711.pdf) is a summary of the official instruction,Transmittal 1962, CR 6711 (www.cms.gov/Transmittals/downloads/R1962CP.pdf). This recent transmittal specifically states, "When processing claims for drugs and biologicals (except those provided under the Competitive Acquisition Program for Part B drugs and biologicals (CAP)), local contractors may require the use of the modifier JW to identify unused drug or biologicals from single use vials or single use packages that are appropriately discarded" (bold added for emphasis). If your contractor requires JW, the transmittal adds some examples to help you use the modifier properly:Example 1: A single-use vial contains 100 units. The patient receives 95 units, and your [...]
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