Eli's Rehab Report

Reader Questions:

Switch A Codes to Q Codes for LOCM

Question: I heard there was a change in how we should report LOCM (low osmolar contrast material). Should we still be reporting A4644, A4645 and A4646?


California Subscriber


Answer: HCPCS implemented Q codes for LOCM that became effective April 1, 2005 - but if you're a hospital outpatient department, you should continue reporting the current A codes (A4644, A4645 and A4646, Supply of low osmolar contrast material ...).

If you're not coding for a hospital outpatient department, however, you should switch to the new Q codes (Q9945, Q9946, Q9947, Q9948, Q9949, Q9950 and Q9951) corresponding to the strength the physiatrist injected.

You may be using these codes with physiatry or pain management intrathecal injections. Check with your payers because not all payers update their HCPCS codes quarterly like CMS does.

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