Modifier JW

[slangley1130@gmail.com]

If a patient requests a vaccine for a pediatric patient, Then the vaccine is drawn up but once taken back to the patient room the patient declines the vaccine, Can we use modifier JW to consider that waste? Has anyone seen this paid?

 

[jason.lang]

That's an interesting one, did the patient's guardian sign consent to have the vaccine prior to prep of the vaccine? My thought is since nothing was administered the guardian should be held liable for the medication. JW doesn't apply to Vaccines only administered drugs.

 

[julieordway]

This probably would not be a good idea to use the JW modifier in this instance. The JW modifier is meant to be used if the provider must discard the remainder of a single dose vial AFTER administering a dose/quantity of the drug to a patient. Since nothing was administered to the patient, it doesn't qualify for this type of event.
This is all explained in CMS policy.
https://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/view/article.aspx?articleid=55932

 

[jason.lang]

This probably would not be a good idea to use the JW modifier in this instance. The JW modifier is meant to be used if the provider must discard the remainder of a single dose vial AFTER administering a dose/quantity of the drug to a patient. Since nothing was administered to the patient, it doesn't qualify for this type of event.
This is all explained in CMS policy.
https://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/view/article.aspx?articleid=55932

Definitely not a good idea, target on your back for sure.