Orthopedic Coding Alert

Orthopedic Coding:

Break Down Drug Volume Measurements

Question: How many billing units should I report for 1 cc of 4 mg per mL of dexamethasone?

Nebraska Subscriber

Answer: You’ll report 4 units of J1100 (Injection, dexamethasone sodium phosphate, 1 mg) for your situation.

A cubic centimeter (cc) and a milliliter (mL) are equivalent units of measure. Therefore, 1 cc and 1 mL are the same volume value. If the dexamethasone concentration is 4 mg per mL, then 1 mL (or 1 cc) contains 4 mg of dexamethasone.

Code J1100 contains 1 mg of dexamethasone sodium phosphate in each unit, so a 4 mg dose of dexamethasone will be reported as 4 units of J1100.

Dexamethasone sodium phosphate is a corticosteroid that providers use to treat severe inflammation in patients with ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, allergic disorders, and multiple sclerosis.

Important: This HCPCS Level II code only represents the drug. You will also need to report an applicable administration code.

Mike Shaughnessy, BA, CPC, Development Editor, AAPC