Otolaryngology Coding Alert

Question: When one of our providers administers oral pain medication such as acetaminophen, aspirin, or ibuprofen in the office, can I code separately for it? I see that the H0033 code could fit, but is it appropriate to use the code in this context?

South Carolina Subscriber

Answer: No, you should consider the administration of these drugs orally included in the related evaluation and management (E/M) service, which you’d report with a code from the 99202- 99215 (Office or other outpatient visit …) code set.

H0033 (Oral medication administration, direct observation) is in the alcohol and drug abuse treatment services. Some private health insurers are using the code for reporting services such as giving the patient an opioid medication to treat opioid addiction in the privacy of a physician’s office. The codes are not for use when you administer drugs such as acetaminophen, aspirin, or ibuprofen, however.