Question:
Can a subcutaneous injection of insulin administered to a patient be billed?
Answer:
Subcutaneous injections of insulin may be administered to patients as a sliding scale protocol or to correct blood sugar levels; however, per Medicare and most MACs, insulin is considered a self-administered drug, meaning that in most cases the administration of insulin is billed on a hospital claim with charges reported as non-covered. If reporting on a professional claim the injection is not billed. The drug may be billed but with revenue code 637.
This question was answered in our Coding Essentials for Infusion & Injection Therapy Services. For more hot topics relating to infusion services, please visit our store or call us at 1.800.252.1578, ext. 2.