Otolaryngology Coding Alert

Question: For a recent, non-cosmetic procedure we injected 32 units of Botox and wasted 68 of a 100 unit vial. Can we report the wasted units of Botox?

Vermont Subscriber

Answer: If this is a Medicare patient, you probably can bill for the waste. Bill the wasted units on a second line, with modifier JW (Drug amount discarded/not administered to any patient). Check with your Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) to make sure it is processing drug waste this way, because each MAC has its own policies and procedures.

If your patient is covered by private insurance, check with the payer on its drug waste policy.