HCPCS 2013: Here’s How Coding For Oncology And Hematology Is Going To Change In The New Year

CPT® 2013 brings in a number of changes for all practices, but for oncology and hematology coders, HCPCS is where they should be focused in right now. Take a look at the coding changes for HCPCS 2013.

Changes in doxil reporting 

HCPCS 2013 deletes both J9001 (Injection, doxorubicin hydrochloride, all lipid formulations, 10 mg) and Q2048 (Injection, doxorubicin hydrochloride, liposomal, Doxil, 10 mg).

In place of Q2048, you get a new code J9002 (Injection, doxorubicin hydrochloride, liposomal, Doxil, 10 mg).

However code Q2049 (Injection, doxorubicin hydrochloride, liposomal, imported Lipodox, 10 mg) will remain valid for imported Lipodox, which has been used to alleviate the Doxil shortage.

Seperation of Erwinaze from other asparaginase

HCPCS 2013 adds a new code J9019 (Injection, asparaginase [Erwinaze], 1,000 IU) for the chemotherapy drug asparaginase, which is sold under the name Erwinaze.

HCPCS has also updated the definition of the code J9020 as follows:

•       2012: J9020, Injection, asparaginase, 10,000 units
•        2013: J9020, Injection, asparaginase, 10,000 units, not otherwise specified.

New permanent code for Adcetris

HCPCS 2013 adds a new specific code, J9042 (Injection, brentuximab vedotin, 1 mg), for the targeted antibody-drug conjugate Adcetris.

Steer Clear of Ophthalmic Mitomycin Code

HCPCS 2013 revises code J9280 for mitomycin, which is used to treat a variety of cancers. The term "injection" has been added to the definition:

•       2012: J9280, Mitomycin, 5 mg
•      2013: J9280, Injection, mitomycin, 5 mg.

J7178 Completes the Fibrinogen Transition

 

HCPCS 2013 deletes two human fibrinogen concentrate codes:

•       J1680, Injection, human fibrinogen concentrate, 100 mg
•   Q2045, Injection, human fibrinogen concentrate, 1 mg.

 

You now have a new code J7178 (Injection, human fibrinogen concentrate, 1 mg) instead. 

Use code J1741 for IV Ibuprofen

HCPCS 2013 deletes C9279 (Injection, ibuprofen, 100 mg) and adds J1741 (Injection, ibuprofen, 100 mg).

Watch Units for Relistor

HCPCS 2013 adds new code for Relistor, which is used to treat patients with opioid-induced constipation: J2212 (Injection, methylnaltrexone, 0. 1 mg).

To calculate units, you should divide the amount administered by 0.1. So for a 12 mg dose, divide 12 by 0.1 for a total of 120 units.