Retired - Correct Coding – Drugs and Fluids


The Pricing, Data Analysis and Coding (PDAC) Contractor has conducted an analysis of supplier billing of miscellaneous drug codes. This analysis showed multiple variances in supplier billing patterns. The following is a list of codes used in the analysis:

J3490 UNCLASSIFIED DRUGS
J7599 IMMUNOSUPPRESSIVE DRUG, NOT OTHERWISE CLASSIFIED
J7699 NOC DRUGS, INHALATION SOLUTION ADMINISTERED THROUGH DME
J7799 NOC DRUGS, OTHER THAN INHALATION DRUGS, ADMINISTERED THROUGH DME
J8499 PRESCRIPTION DRUG, ORAL, NON CHEMOTHERAPEUTIC, NOS
J8597 ANTIEMETIC DRUG, ORAL, NOT OTHERWISE SPECIFIED
J8999 PRESCRIPTION DRUG, ORAL, CHEMOTHERAPEUTIC, NOS
J9999 NOT OTHERWISE CLASSIFIED, ANTINEOPLASTIC DRUGS
Q0181 UNSPECIFIED ORAL DOSAGE FORM, FDA APPROVED PRESCRIPTION ANTI-EMETIC, FOR USE AS A COMPLETE THERAPEUTIC SUBSTITUTE FOR A IV ANTI-EMETIC AT THE TIME OF CHEMOTHERAPY TREATMENT, NOT TO EXCEED A 48 HOUR DOSAGE REGIMEN

Suppliers are reminded to use the most appropriate HCPCS code before using a miscellaneous HCPCS code.

Miscellaneous Findings

A diluent is a solution used to dilute or reconstitute a drug from a powder or liquid form. Suppliers billing for a diluent should use a specific HCPCS code when one is available. Examples of HCPCS codes used as diluents are:

A4216 STERILE WATER, SALINE AND/OR DEXTROSE, DILUENT/FLUSH, 10 ML
A4217 STERILE WATER/SALINE, 500 ML
A4218 STERILE SALINE OR WATER, METERED DOSE DISPENSER, 10 ML
J7042 5% DEXTROSE/NORMAL SALINE (500 ML = 1 UNIT)
J7050 INFUSION, NORMAL SALINE SOLUTION , 250 CC
J7060 5% DEXTROSE/WATER (500 ML = 1 UNIT)
J7070 INFUSION, D5W, 1000 CC
J7100 INFUSION, DEXTRAN 40, 500 ML
J7110 INFUSION, DEXTRAN 75, 500 ML
J7120 RINGERS LACTATE INFUSION, UP TO 1000 CC
J7130 HYPERTONIC SALINE SOLUTION, 50 OR 100 MEQ, 20 CC VIAL
J7131 HYPERTONIC SALINE SOLUTION, 1 ML

Hydration Therapy should be billed with the hydration fluid HCPCS code when one is available. The following are examples of codes used for hydration therapy:

J7042 5% DEXTROSE/NORMAL SALINE (500 ML = 1 UNIT)
J7050 INFUSION, NORMAL SALINE SOLUTION , 250 CC
J7060 5% DEXTROSE/WATER (500 ML = 1 UNIT)
J7070 INFUSION, D5W, 1000 CC
J7100 INFUSION, DEXTRAN 40, 500 ML
J7110 INFUSION, DEXTRAN 75, 500 ML
J7120 RINGERS LACTATE INFUSION, UP TO 1000 CC
J7130 HYPERTONIC SALINE SOLUTION, 50 OR 100 MEQ, 20 CC VIAL
J7131 HYPERTONIC SALINE SOLUTION, 1 ML

Please refer to your Durable Medical Equipment Medicare Administrative Contractor (DME MAC) for coverage, billing instructions and use of modifiers.

For questions about correct coding, contact the PDAC Contact Center at (877) 735-1326 during the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. CT, Monday through Friday, or e-mail the PDAC by completing the DME PDAC Contact Form located on the PDAC website: https://www.dmepdac.com/.

Revision History

Date Revision
09/18/2014 Published on PDAC website
05/09/2022 Retired


Last Updated: 09/18/2014