Article
Hydration therapy
Author(s):
We're confused about billing chemotherapy hydration. Many times a patient will present in a very dehydrated state and require hydration therapy before we can begin infusion therapy. Other times, the hydration is part of the protocol for the infusion therapy. Is the coding different for these two scenarios?
We're confused about billing chemotherapy hydration. Many times a patient will present in a very dehydrated state and require hydration therapy before we can begin infusion therapy. Other times, the hydration is part of the protocol for the infusion therapy. Is the coding different for these two scenarios?
Yes. Code 90760 (intravenous infusion, hydration; initial, 31 minutes to 1 hour) should be used only when hydration is medically necessary but not required as part of the subsequent chemotherapy. Make sure you check how the insurer wants you to bill for this, such as listing the medically necessary hydration first or using a certain modifier.
