Neurology & Pain Management Coding Alert

Question: My physician wants to teach his patients how to give themselves Imitrex injections. We will get the medication from the pharmaceutical reps. Do I bill for the injection, or will I bill an office visit for the teaching?Pennsylvania SubscriberAnswer:Since the patients will give themselves the injections, you'll focus on the teaching. How you report the service depends on the actual instruction and who provides the education.At first glance, your best option might be 98960 (Education and training for patient self-management by a qualified, nonphysician health care professional using a standardized curriculum, face-to-face with the patient [could include caregiver/family] each 30 minutes; individual patient).Caveat: The key to reporting 98960 is that it must be a standard, established curriculum recognized by a professional society or organization. Training patients to administer Imitrex might not qualify for 98960 because of the criteria involved.Other options: A nurse, non-physician practitioner (NPP), or physician might instruct [...]