Ophthalmology and Optometry Coding Alert

Test your coding knowledge.  Determine how you would code this situation before looking at the box below for the answer.
Question: When giving Botox treatments, how should we bill for the units that are wasted?

Colorado Subscriber

Answer: Botox is expensive and highly perishable. Once a vial is opened, it must be used or discarded (also known as "wasted"). Medicare will pay for the wasted amount, but you must document carefully. The amount wasted is just as important as the amount used for purposes of reimbursement.
 
In the unit field, give the total number of units. The total number of units includes both those injected into the patient and those wasted. If you use a vial on more than one patient, include the number of wasted units on the last patient's claim form and add it to the number of units injected so you have only one total.
 
Make sure the chart includes the total amount that is billed, documentation of the injected amount and the wasted amount.