Oncology & Hematology Coding Alert

Question: I-ve heard the rule that I should report a port flush if it's the only service rendered on a particular day. But does that mean no additional port services, or no additional services of any kind?

Pennsylvania Subscriber

Answer: You should report the port flush if it is the only service the physician provides to the patient on that date.

Rationale: A note with 96523 (Irrigation of implanted venous access device for drug delivery systems) states you should not report the code if -any other services are provided on the same day.-

CPT 2008 Changes: An Insider's View clarifies, -because irrigation of a venous access device has minimal effort associated with its provision,- you should only report 96523 -when no other service (e.g., evaluation and management, chemotherapy) has been provided.-

Example: A patient presents to the office. The staff performs a port flush and injects Leukine subcutaneously to help prevent infection. You should report the Leukine injection with 90772 (Therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic injection [specify substance or drug]; subcutaneous or intramuscular) and J2820 (Injection, sargramostim [GM-CSF], 50 mcg).

You should not separately report the port flush.