Radiology Coding Alert
Inject Common Sense Into G0351 Claims
Just say 'no' to injection code for nuclear medicine procedures Keep 2006 Claims Free of These New Codes The American Medical Association released a subset of the 2006 codes early, allowing you a chance to see the new injection and infusion codes months in advance of the Jan. 1, 2006, effective date. Along with the codes are the new instructions that state not to report the new codes with procedures for which an IV push or infusion is an inherent part of the procedure, such as diagnostic imaging with contrast.
The National Correct Coding Initiative hit nuclear medicine with a slew of new edits, many bundling in G0351 (Therapeutic or diagnostic injection [specify substance or drug]; subcutaneous or intramuscular).
Reason: The injection is an integral part of the larger nuclear medicine procedure, says Denise Merlino, CNMT, MBA, FSNMTS, coding and reimbursement adviser to the Society of Nuclear Medicine.
Exception: Although you shouldn't code for administration of the isotope by vascular injection, if you provide an injection via a lumbar puncture--as for a cisternogram--you can report an injection code, says Bruce Hammond, CRA, CNMT, COO of Diagnostic Health Services in Texas.
Follow coding guidelines to choose the proper injection code. CPT 78630 (Cerebrospinal fluid flow, imaging [not including introduction of material]; cisternography) instructions say to consult codes 61000-61070 and 62270-62319 for injection procedures, rather than G0351.
You can see the full release at www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/3113.html. Click on "2006 drug administration codes" under "What's New."
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