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Primary Care Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Generic vs. Brand Name Won't Change Your J3301 Billing

Published on Mon May 14, 2012

Question: My doctor is using Kenalog 40 (NDC 0003029328) from Bristol Myers Squibb. He says J3301 is not the correct code to bill because that is a generic code. Is there a different code to differentiate generics from non-generic when billing?

Arizona Subscriber

Answer: For Kenalog injections, you should use J3301 (Injection, triamcinolone acetonide, not otherwise specified, 10 mg) for the Kenalog itself. If you are using a preservative free version of the drug, then you should use J3300 (Injection, triamcinolone acetonide, preservative free, 1 mg).

Pointer: Pay careful attention to the code descriptors when reporting units. For J3300, you should report 1 unit per 1 mg. In contrast, you should report 1 unit per 10 mg for J3301.

These are the codes you should use, regardless of the company from whom you get the drug. Kenalog is [...]
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