J2278 — Injection, ziconotide, 1 microgram
HCPCS/CPT
Prior Authorization
No Prior Auth Required
Code is covered without prior authorization (high confidence)
Medicare Pricing
Work RVU
0.00
Facility
N/A
Non-Facility
N/A
Documentation Required
- When billing J7999-KD, enter the name and total dose (mg or mcg) of each drug in Box 19 of the CMS-1500 or the appropriate electronic comment loop; if Box 19 cannot accommodate all information, attach the details to the paper claim.
- If a portion of a single-dose vial is not used, submit the HCPCS code for the drug on a separate claim line and append modifier JW to indicate discarded/unused portion.
- Separate payment may be made for pump refilling and/or adjustments; submit these services using the appropriate drug refill or maintenance CPT/HCPCS code that accurately describes the service rendered.
- Compounded drugs are priced by the A/B MAC contractor by multiplying the contractor's price per mcg or mg by the total number of mcg or mg of each drug used; a pharmacy compounding fee may be allowed in addition to the calculated drug amount.
Key Coverage Criteria
- Compounded medications for use in implantable infusion pumps may be covered by Medicare when their use meets all other criteria for services provided incident to a physician's service.
- True off-the-shelf (non‑compounded) drugs used without compounding and administered via DME may be billed using the drug-specific HCPCS code and are reimbursed under CMS ASP methodology.
- If Prialt® is implanted as a single agent in the pump, bill using HCPCS code J2278-KD.
- Compounded single-agent or combination drug formulations used in implanted infusion pumps must be billed using HCPCS code J7999-KD for reimbursement.
- Implantable infusion pumps and associated services are covered when used for conditions listed in the CMS Internet-Only Manual, Pub 100-03, Medicare National Coverage Determinations Manual, Chapter 1, Part 4, §280.14 (Infusion Pumps).
- Implantable infusion pumps are indicated to administer medications via intra-arterial, intrathecal, or epidural routes.
5 Active Policies
L33794 — External Infusion Pumps
J19
L40247 — External Infusion Pumps
J19
AETNA-CPB-0712 — Ziconotide (Prialt)
A56695 — Billing and Coding: Implantable Infusion Pump
L33461 — Implantable Infusion Pump
Related Codes
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