Oncology & Hematology Coding Alert

Learn the new numbers and avoid rejection problems. HCPCS codes aren't the only ones to change in January. If your office provides infusion or hydration services apart from chemotherapy, get ready for new CPT codes. Meanwhile, your chemo codes get a new header and introduction, but the codes don't change. Gone, but not lost: Just as you were getting to know codes 90769-90771 (Subcutaneous infusion for therapy or prophylaxis ...)-- which CPT debuted in January 2008--- it's time to forget what you learned. CPT 2009 deletes the entire "Therapeutic, Prophylactic, and Diagnostic Injections and Infusions" section (90765-90779). In its place, you-ll find a new section entitled "Therapeutic, Prophylactic, and Diagnostic Injections and Infusions (Excludes Chemotherapy and Other Highly Complex Drug or Highly Complex Biologic Agent Administration)." The codes in the new section will run from 96365 (Intravenous infusion, for therapy, prophylaxis, or diagnosis [specify substance or drug]; initial, up to 1 hour) through 96379 (Unlisted therapeutic, prophylactic, or diagnostic intravenous or intra- arterial injection or infusion). The descriptors are nearly identical. Rationale: "CPT added new introductory notes and must have wanted the codes further back in the medicine section than where they used to be-- sandwiched between vaccine codes and psychiatry codes," says Heather Corcoran with CGH Billing in Louisville, Ky. Meanwhile, "Chemotherapy Administration" has been renamed "Chemotherapy and Other Highly Complex Drug or Highly Complex Biologic