Advanced Search

ED Coding and Reimbursement Alert

You Be the Coder:

Account for Specific Case With Hydration Code

Published on Mon Feb 06, 2006

Question: When a patient receives multiple injections and infusions, how do I determine which service to assign the -initial- code? For instance, a patient comes in with nausea and vomiting and receives IV hydration and an IV of Zofran. Do I use the -initial- code to describe the IV, or the infusion? 


Connecticut Subscriber


Answer: Frequently in the emergency department, the clinical situation of the patient will support the use of the hydration (90760, Intravenous infusion, hydration; initial, up to one hour) as the initial service, and the injection or infusion of the medication (+90766, Intravenous infusion, for therapy, prophylaxis, or diagnosis [specify substance or drug]; each additional hour, up to 8 hours [list separately in addition to code for primary procedure]) as a subsequent service.

This is not a hard-and-fast rule, but would be based on the clinical parameters of the particular visit.
You’ve reached your limit of free articles. Already a subscriber? Log in.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe today to continue reading this article. Plus, you’ll get:
  • Simple explanations of current healthcare regulations and payer programs
  • Real-world reporting scenarios solved by our expert coders
  • Industry news, such as MAC and RAC activities, the OIG Work Plan, and CERT reports
  • Instant access to every article ever published in your eNewsletter
  • 6 annual AAPC-approved CEUs*
  • The latest updates for CPT®, ICD-10-CM, HCPCS Level II, NCCI edits, modifiers, compliance, technology, practice management, and more
*CEUs available with select eNewsletters.

Other Articles in this issue of

ED Coding and Reimbursement Alert

View All