Reader Question:
Methylcobalamin Takes You to J3490
Published on Thu Apr 05, 2012
Question: One of our physicians wants to order Methylcobalamin for a patient who cannot have the basic B-12 cyanocobalamin. He wants to verify whether the patient's insurance will cover Methylcobalamin before he places an order. What HCPCS code should we submit when checking? Illinois SubscriberAnswer: You would normally submit J3420 (Injection, vitamin b-12 cyanocobalamin, up to 1000 mcg) for cyanocobalamin, and HCPCS coding notes instructs you to bill J3420 for other types of similar medications. Searching for the correct code for Methylcobalamin B-6/B-12, however, leads you to J3490 (Unclassified drugs). Include a note in Box 19 explaining what the medication is and why your physician ordered it.