Q&A: Reporting IV infusions

Q: Are we able to report the IV infusions performed in the emergency department under revenue code 0450? Or do we have to report it under revenue code 0260? Would the IV codes be reported with revenue code 260 for departments other than emergency?

A: From a reporting/billing standpoint, it is appropriate to report the IV infusions performed in the emergency department under revenue code 0450. This corresponds to CMS guidance regarding reporting a service under the revenue code that most appropriately describes the department where the service was rendered. Some payers may want these services reported under revenue code 0260 because of claims processing parameters in their systems. If this is the case, you can have your contracting department try to negotiate for the individual payer to accept the 0450 revenue code for these services. The IV services for other departments would be reported under revenue code 0260typically we see a chargemaster item for the individual department with revenue code 0260 assigned. This makes it easier on the cost reporting staff to correlate the internal cost with the service, but still reports the service correctly on the claim.

Note: This question was answered by Denise Williams, RN, COC, senior vice president of revenue integrity services at Revant Solutions in Trussville, Alabama. For more information on revenue codes, see the webinar Chargemaster Update Strategies: The Impact of 2018 Code Changes on Reimbursement.