Anesthesia Coding Alert

Question: Our physician uses anywhere from 2-4 mg of midazolam during cases. He recently submitted a claim that documented only 1 mg of midazolam was used. How do I convert the code to represent only 1 mg?

Indiana Subscriber

Answer: The correct code for midazolam is J2250 (Injection, midazolam hydrochloride, per 1 mg). Because the descriptor specifies that the code represents 1 mg, each milligram administered translates to one unit for billing purposes.

Providers might use midazolam hydrochloride as a sedative for patients undergoing minor surgery, dental work, or other medical procedures. This code represents only the drug, not administration of the drug.