OPPS Update October 2015
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released, quarterly updates to Medicare payment systems. The October 2015 update to the Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) includes additions, changes, and deletions your office should be aware of to ensure proper claims payment.
New Procedure Code
New HCPCS Level II code C9743 Injection/implantation of bulking or spacer material (any type) with or without image guidance (not to be used if a more specific code applies) is effective from October 1, 2015. This code is assigned status indicator ?S? – Significant procedure not subject to multiple procedure discounting; the Outpatient Prospective Payment System ambulatory payment classification is 0310 (Level III therapeutic radiation treatment preparation).
Drugs, Biologicals, and Radiopharmaceuticals: The New, the Old, and the Revised
CMS reminds providers that, effective July 1, 2015, they should use HCPCS Level II code Q9977 Compounded drug, not otherwise classified to report compounded drug combinations. Modifier JF Compounded drug was discontinued as of June 30, 2015.
Injection of a drug during a cataract extraction procedure or other ophthalmic procedure is not separately reportable, CMS also reminds providers. Advance Beneficiary Notices (ABN) should not be issued by providers to patients because these drugs are a covered part of the ocular surgery.
Updated payment rates effective October 1, 2015, and drug price restatements can be found in the October 2015 update of the OPPS Addendum A and Addendum B at: www.cms.gov/HospitalOutpatientPPS and the list of drugs and biologicals with corrected payment rates will also be available on this CMS site October 1.
Two drugs/biologicals have been granted OPPS pass-through status effective October 1, 2015:
HCPCS | Descriptor | APC | SI |
C9456 | Injection, isavuconazonium sulfate, 1 mg | 9456 | G |
C9457 | Injection, sulfur hexafluoride lipid microsphere, per ml | 9457 | G |
A new HCPCS Level II code for reporting drugs and biologicals in the hospital outpatient setting is effective October 1, 2015:
HCPCS | Descriptor | APC | SI |
Q9979 | Injection, alemtuzumab, 1 mg | 1809 | K |
The descriptor for HCPCS Level II code Q9976 Injection, Ferri Pyrophospate Citrate Solution, 0.1 mg of iron was incorrect in the last update. The correct dosage for this code is 0.1 mg of iron.
HCPCS Level II code Q4151 AmnioBand, guardian 1 sq cm has been reassigned from the low-cost skin substitute group to the high-cost skin substitute group. The status indicator for this code is N (No additional payment, payment included in the items with APCs for incidental service).