Can we bill for the administration of nitrous oxide during labor and delivery or for other minor procedures performed at bedside?
Currently, there is no CPT®/HCPCS code to report the administration of nitrous oxide, other than for use during dental procedures; however, an ICD-10-PCS code does exist for inpatient procedural reporting (3E0F7SD—Introduction of Nitric Oxide Gas into Respiratory Tract, Via Natural or Artificial Opening). From a billing standpoint, the gas may be charged as a non-sterile supply (0271), as a pharmaceutical under revenue code 025x with an applicable National Drug Code (NDC), per some Medicaid plan requirements, or included in the facility’s anesthesia charges under revenue code 037x or the related delivery charge or surgical procedure. For the charge to be defensible and separately billable, it must be billed in measurable units that are supported in the documentation (i.e., per liter, per hour, per half hour, per quarter hour, per minute, etc.) along with the written order that illustrates the medical need for administration.
This question was answered in our Coding Essentials for RT/Pulmonary Function. For more hot topics relating to respiratory services, please visit our store or call us at 1.800.252.1578, ext. 2.
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