Specialty Groups — Oncology
Medical Oncology Code Changes
ACOA Coding Minute
Confused about coding Aranesp? You may not be alone! After deleting, and then reinstating, HCPCS code J0880 some practices are finding it difficult to know when to use what code for this popular medication.
There are several websites that contain detailed coding information, and the official CMS guideline is located in Transmittal 36, dated December 24, 2003. HGSA includes the following coding chart in their MedicareNewsroom:
|
DRUG |
CODE
|
CONDITIONS
|
PLACE OF SERVICE
|
|
Aranesp 5 mcg
|
J0880
|
Non-ESRD
|
Office only; physician
|
|
Aranesp 1 mcg
|
Q0137
|
Non-ESRD
|
All Non-ESRD settings
|
|
Aranesp 1 mcg
|
Q4054
|
ESRD on dialysis
|
All Non-ESRD settings
|
It is essential for correct code assignment that code J0880 only be reported for Aranesp administered in the office setting.
The website for the HGSA information is: http://www.hgsa.com/newsroom/news01082004b.shtml
Additional Medicare websites with similar information include:
http://www.empiremedicare.com/news/njnews/011404epo.htm
http://www.gamedicare.com/provider/Aranesp.htm
Cindy C. Parman, CPC, CPC-H
principal and co-founder of Coding Strategies, Inc. in Atlanta, GA. Cindy is a current member of the Advisory Board for the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) and a faculty instructor for AMA Solutions, a subsidiary of the American Medical Association. She serves as the Consulting Editor of the Radiology Coding Alert and is on the Editorial Advisory Board of General Surgery Coding Alert and Pain Management Coding Alert.