Nebulizer treatments and medications coding

[clark100]

When you bill for a nebulizer treatment and albuterol and ipratropium bromide are the meds used with the treatment, do you bill for the meds in addition to the treatment? I've never had any luck getting reimbursed for the meds though our office is buying these medications to go with the treatment. Has anyone else had this problem? If not, how are you billing? TIA for any help!

 

[Lindsey_McBee]

billing meds

The way we bill is first the E/M visit with a 25 modifier. The the breathing treatment code, the HCSPCS code for the mask, the the J code for the meds. We haven't had any problem in being reimbursed. I know that some insurance companies won't pay for meds administered in the physicians office but that is more of a benefit issue than a coding issue.