Ophthalmology and Optometry Coding Alert

You can cross out Q2024 -- just three months after its debut. If you haven't adjusted to the Avastin switch to Q2024, procrastinating for once may keep you in the payment game. Confusion abounded when CMS created Q2024 (Injection, bevacizumab, 0.25 mg), effective Oct. 1, 2009. You already had J9035 (Injection, bevacizumab, 10 mg) for bevacizumab (Avastin). Here's the inside scoop on what code to use, and -- surprise! -- your best option might be a third code. Fall Back to '09 J Code CMS had implemented Q2024 with a payment of $7 on Oct. 1, creating a significant gap in Avastin payment for ophthalmology. The lower dosage amount (0.25 mg per unit) made Q2024 more appropriate for ophthalmologists who use smaller amounts. But their outcry about payment problems encouraged CMS to delete Q2024, bringing much cheering from oncology and ophthalmology coders alike. In its reversal, CMS announced that, "Effective immediately, CMS [...]