Internal Medicine Coding Alert
Reflect Phenergan With HCPCS Code J2550, Not J2250
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When coding for Phenergan, don’t mix up the “25” with a “22.”
“The case provided the incorrect HCPCS code and description in the example,” says Bruce Rappoport, MD, CPC, CHCC, principal of advisory services for Rachlin Cohen & Holtz LLP in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
You should use J2550 (Injection, promethazine HCl, up to 50 mg) for Phenergan (generic promethazine). The February 2006 Internal Medicine Coding Alert lists the J code for Phenergan incorrectly as J2250 (Injection, midazolam HCl, per 1 mg), says Lisa Worthington-White, RHIT, CPC, coding manager at White-Wilson Medical Center in Ft. Walton Beach, Fla.
The example in “Take an Extra Step for Infusions Involving Multiple Substances” that describes a 30-minute infusion of Phenergan and a 250-cc bag of common saline solution for a patient who had diarrhea and vomiting should be coded as:
• 90765 …quot; Intravenous infusion, for therapy, prophylaxis, or diagnosis (specify substance or drug); initial, up to 1 hour
• J2550.
Code J2250 (Injection, midazolam HCl, per 1 mg) is for Versed.
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Reflect Phenergan With HCPCS Code J2550, Not J2250
When coding for Phenergan, don’t mix up the “25” with a “22.”
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