Primary Care Coding Alert

Question: Which codes should I report when the physician performs an IV infusion of diltiazem HCl, also known as Cardizem or Tiazac?

New Hampshire Subscriber

Answer: You should report 90774 (Therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic injection [specify substance or drug]; intravenous push, single or initial substance/drug) for the injection. The procedure is considered -therapeutic- because physicians use it to treat chronic, stable angina.

For the drug itself, you should report J3490 (Unclassified drugs), unless your payer instructs otherwise, because no permanent HCPCS code has been assigned to diltiazem HCl.