Bill for Rescue Treatment in Cases of Induced Allergic Reactions
Question: Our practice has a policy for patients who come in for allergy testing or subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) appointments. If they have diagnosed asthma and use a prescribed rescue inhaler, they are required to bring their inhaler with them to the appointment in case they need it. If they do not, the patient will not be tested or treated. Because of this policy, we have run into multiple patients that we have had to reschedule because they did not remember their inhaler. Our provider is wondering if we have a rescue inhaler on site and need to use it due to an induced attack, are we able to bill for it? AAPC Forum Participant Answer: If a patient has an allergic reaction to an allergy shot and needs rescue treatment, you can provide, and bill for, the nebulizer treatment using 94640 (Pressurized or nonpressurized inhalation treatment for acute airway obstruction for therapeutic purposes…) along with J7613 (Albuterol, inhalation solution, FDA-approved final product, non-compounded, administered through DME, unit dose, 1 mg) for the albuterol supply. You can also use your own supply and then bill for an epinephrine injection if the patient is in the office and having a reaction. For that, you will use 96372 (Therapeutic, prophylactic, or diagnostic injection (specify substance or drug); subcutaneous or intramuscular). Remember: If you bill for the epinephrine, you will need to use one of the new epinephrine codes that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) introduced on July 1. You will choose from the following as appropriate: Bruce Pegg, BA, MA, CPC, CFPC, Managing Editor, AAPC
