Pulmonology Coding Alert

Question: I need a code for the drug Depomedrol? I was told it’s the same as Kenolog which we have as J 3301? I know that the injection code is 96372.

New Jersey Subscriber

Answer: Depo-Medrol is available in three strengths: 20 mg/mL, 40 mg/mL, and 80 mg/mL. Packaging is available in 1 mL, 5 mL, and 10 mLvolume vials and can be single dose (without any preservative) or multi-dose (with preservative) vials. HCPCS includes three Depo-Medrol codes to cover the different strengths:

• J1020 -- Injection, methylprednisolone acetate, 20 mg (for Depo-Medrol)
• J1030 -- Injection, methylprednisolone acetate, 40 mg (for DepoMedalone40, Depo-Medrol, or Sano-Drol)
• J1040 -- Injection, methylprednisolone acetate, 80 mg (for Cortimed, DepMedalone, DepoMedalone80, Depo-Medrol, Duro Cort, Methylcotolone, Pri-Methylate, or Sano-Drol).

Conversion: First be aware that there is no difference between 1 mL and 1 cc. They are terms describing the volume of medication injected and are used interchangeably. Consider these examples:

• 1mL of 40 mg/mL equals 40 mg of the steroid, which leads to billing 1 unit of J1030
• 0.5cc of 40 mg/mL equals 20 mg Depo-Medrol, or code 1 unit of J1020
• 2 cc of 40 mg/mL equals 80 mg of Depo-Medrol or 1 unit of J1040.

Reminder: You would typically use J1040 for an 80 mg dose. Some contractors and payers, however, require the 20 unit code with units. In this case, you would report 80 mg of Depo-medrol as J1020 x 4.