cpt code and description
J3420 – INJECTION, VITAMIN B-12 CYANOCOBALAMIN, UP TO 1000 MCG
LCD Description
Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin, B12) is an essential vitamin necessary for cell maturation and neurologic function. B12 deficiency may be caused by several pathological and post-surgical conditions and its presence can be assessed by B12 serum assays. This deficiency can lead to profound hematological and neurological damage, and may be corrected by oral B12, intranasal B12 gel, or intramuscular or deep subcutaneous injection. Oral replacement of vitamin B12 is the treatment of choice in most cases of deficiency. Oral administration of vitamin B12 is as effective as parenteral administration in treating deficiency in most cases. This policy will cover only the intramuscular or deep subcutaneous injection of B12 since the other two modes of replacement are both self-administered and so are not Medicare benefits. However, if the B12 deficiency can be adequately treated by other than parenteral means it would not be considered appropriate to bill Medicare for injectable B12.
This policy will briefly discuss certain tests used to determine the cause of the B12 deficiency, but the policy’s focus will be on the injection of B12 to correct the deficiency from whatever cause.
In addition, vitamin B12 will be considered medically necessary when administered as an adjunct to Alimta® or Folotyn™ treatment as follows:
• For Alimta® patients, patients must receive one intramuscular injection of vitamin B12 during the week preceding the first dose of Alimta® and every three cycles thereafter
• For Folotyn™ patients, supplement patients with vitamin B12 1 mg intramuscularly no more than 10 weeks prior to the first dose of Folotyn™, and every 8-10 weeks thereafter
• Subsequent vitamin B12. injections may be given the same day as either Alimta® or Folotyn™ Vitamin B12 injections (J3420) used to strengthen tendons, ligaments, etc. of the foot are considered investigational and are therefore noncovered.
CMS National Coverage Policy
Language quoted from CMS National Coverage Determination (NCDs) and coverage provisions in interpretive manuals are italicized throughout the Local Coverage Determination (LCD). NCDs and coverage provisions in interpretive manuals are not subject to the LCD Review Process (42 CFR 405.860[b] and 42 CFR 426 [Subpart D]). In addition, an administrative law judge may not review an NCD. See §1869(f)(1)(A)(i) of the Social Security Act.
Indications and Limitations of Coverage and/or Medical Necessity
Vitamin B12 is essential for the formation of red blood cells and is used in the treatment of diseases in which there is defective red cell formation.
Vitamin B12 administration by injection is a covered benefit accepted as medically necessary when the beneficiary has a history of a low serum B12 or conditions causing or caused by a low serum B12.
In addition, vitamin B12 will be considered medically necessary when administered as an adjunct to Alimta® or Folotyn™ treatment as follows:
•For Alimta® patients, patients must receive one intramuscular injection of vitamin B12 during the week preceding the first dose of Alimta® and every three cycles thereafter
• For Folotyn™ patients, supplement patients with vitamin B12 1 mg intramuscularly no more than 10 weeks prior to the first dose of Folotyn™, and every 8-10 weeks thereafter
• Subsequent vitamin B12. injections may be given the same day as either Alimta® or Folotyn™ Vitamin B12 injections (J3420) used to strengthen tendons, ligaments, etc. of the foot are considered investigational and are therefore noncovered.
1. Generally, the indication for Vitamin B12 injection that justifies medical necessity is Vitamin B12 deficiency not corrected by oral dosing. While B12 deficiency has many causes, few of these causes will always lead to B12 deficiency. Accordingly, the physician should not give B12 just because the patient has one of the causes, but only after a deficiency has been documented by serum assay. Serum assay is a reliable initial screening test, although it does not reflect tissue status. B12 levels below 100pg/mL suggest deficiency, but discriminate poorly between 100-400pg/mL. Test results in this range may require further testing. Tests to consider include serum homocysteine, serum methylmalonic acid (MMA), and serum HoloTC-II (active vitamin B12) assays (Dharmarajan, et al.). Two causes that are exceptions to this statement are total gastrectomy and total ileal resection, both leading to B12 deficiency.
2 The normal range of serum B12 is 200 to 900 pg/ml (Harrison’s). However, the Laboratory Test Handbook states that “The lower reference limit, which is critical to the diagnosis of B12 deficiency/pernicious anemia, is not clearly established. It is likely in the range of 100-250 pg/ml.” Further, Harrison’s states that “Serum methylmalonic acid and homocysteine levels…are elevated in cobalamin deficiency…
These tests measure tissue vitamin stores and may demonstrate a deficiency even when the more traditional but less reliable folate and cobalamin levels are borderline or even normal. Patients (particularly older patients) without anemia and with normal serum cobalamin levels but elevated levels of serum methylmalonic acid may develop neuropsychiatric abnormalities. Treatment of patients with this “subtle” cobalamin deficiency will usually prevent further deterioration and may result in improvement.”
But note that neither serum methylmalonic acid (MMA) nor serum homocysteine tests are listed in the AMA’s CPT manual, and neither is inexpensive. Accordingly, when a patient shows neuropsychiatric abnormalities, and the serum B12 is low normal, i.e., below 350 pg/ml, the physician may, in the absence of methylmalonic acid or homocysteine tests, presume a B12 deficiency and treat the patient with B12. Likewise if MMA and /or homocysteine level (s) are available it is also appropriate to justify treatment if these levels are abnormal.
There are exceptions to the above.
a. Since adequate absorption of dietary B12 requires a functioning stomach and ileum, complete surgical resection of either the stomach or ileum can be presumed to always lead to B12 deficiency, and that diagnosis may be presumed without a serum B12 assay and that parenteral B12 is required in these instances.
b. Utilization of certain chemotherapy drugs (Pemetrexed Disodium (Alimta?) can result in depletion of Vitamin B-12. Prophylactic use of parenteral Vitamin B12 is covered in this instance.
3. Medicare does not cover therapy to achieve supranormal B12 levels.
Other Comments
Limitation of liability and refund requirements apply when denials are likely, whether based on medical necessity or other coverage reasons. The provider/supplier must notify the beneficiary in writing, prior to rendering the service, if the provider/supplier is aware that the test, item, or procedure may not be covered by Medicare. The limitation and refund requirements do not apply when the test, item, or procedure is statutorily excluded, has no Medicare benefit category or is rendered for screening purposes.
Notice to beneficiaries related to discharge and coverage notification, as described in CMS Publication 100-04, Medicare Claims Processing Manual, Chapter 2 sections 80-80.2, applies.
Hospitals have been instructed to provide Hospital-Issued Notices of Noncoverage (HINNs) to beneficiaries prior to admission, at admission, or at any time during an inpatient stay if the hospital determines that the care the beneficiary is receiving, or is about to receive, is not covered because if it not medically necessary, not delivered in the most appropriate setting, or is custodial in nature.
Can an FQHC bill J3420 without encounter
Ans : Yes.
Note : Vaccine payment to FQHCs is bundled into the encounter rate.
Hepatitis B vaccine is paid on an APC basis in a hospital outpatient department. Deductible and coinsurance apply.
Influenza and pneumococcal vaccines are also paid on an APC basis in a hospital outpatient department. Neither deductible nor coinsurance apply.
HHAs cannot bill for vaccines, except on TOB 34X, since vaccines are not part of the HH benefit and cannot be paid under HH PPS.
can a provider collect deductible champva deducts from allowed amount
Ans : No.
Note : Provider should collect applicable copayments, cost-shares, or deductibles from TRICARE beneficiaries. Provider agrees to not require payment from a TRICARE beneficiary for any excluded or excludable service the TRICARE beneficiary received unless the TRICARE beneficiary has been properly informed that the services are excludable and has agreed in advance of receiving the services, in writing, to pay for such services. Any waivers must be specific as to the details of the excluded or non-covered service. If both income withholding and insurance premiums are being deducted from earnings, verification that total deduction does not exceed the maximum amount allowed by State law.
can we bill cervical collar non adjustment(foam) to medicare?
Ans : Yes.
Note : To qualify as durable medical equipment an item must withstand repeated use, be primarily and customarily used to serve a medical purpose, be generally not useful to a person in the absence of sickness or injury, and be appropriate for use in the home. The durable medical equipment items are covered without authorization when dispensed from the physician’s office. The identified codes are used for billing. All other codes will be denied because all other covered durable medical equipment must be obtained from a Durable Medical Equipment provider.
In the DME provider letter dated Jan. 28, 2010 – the following correction should be noted: HCPCS code L0120 has not been end-dated and is valid for coverage. The correct end-dated code is L0210.
Injections of B12
Vitamin B12 injections are covered only when one or more of the following diagnoses are present:
t:
Anemia, fish, tapeworm Friedreich’s ataxia; post lateral sclerosis
Anemia, iron deficiency Hepatic Diseases or Dysfunctions
Anemia – Addison’s Malignant and benign neoplasms
– Biermer’s Neuropathies of malnutrition and alcoholism
– Macrocytic Renal Disease
– Megaloblastic Sprue, Short Gut Syndrome, Short
– Pernicious Bowel Syndrome
Crohn’s Disease, Ileitis – Strictures of Intestines
chronic or regional Whipples Disease
Chronic Enteritis/Colitis
Dumping Syndrome,
Jejunal Syndrome
ICD-10 Codes that Support Medical Necessity
D51.0-D52.9 Nutritional anemias
D53.1 Other megaloblastic anemias, not elsewhere classified
D53.9 Nutritional anemia, unspecified
D81.818-D81.819 Biotin-dependent carboxylase deficiency
E40-E42 Malnutrition
E44.1 Mild protein-calorie malnutrition
E45 Retarded development following protein-calorie malnutrition
E46 Unspecified protein-calorie malnutrition
E53.8 Deficiency of other specified B group vitamins
E64.0 Sequelae of protein-calorie malnutrition
G32.0 Subacute combined degeneration of spinal cord in diseases classified elsewhere
K29.30 Chronic superficial gastritis without bleeding
K29.40 Chronic atrophic gastritis without bleeding
K29.50 Unspecified chronic gastritis without bleeding
K86.0-K86.1 Other diseases of pancreas
K90.0-K90.49 Intestinal malabsorption
K90.89-K90.9 Intestinal malabsorption
K91.1 Postgastric surgery syndromes
K91.2 Postsurgical malabsorption, not elsewhere classified
Benefits Change for Vitamin B12 Injections
Vitamin B12 injections are a benefit of Texas Medicaid. Vitamin B12 injections should only be considered for clients who are refractory to oral therapy or have a contraindication. Vitamin B12 injections may be considered for the following indications:
• Dementia secondary to vitamin B12 deficiency
• Resection of the small intestine
• Schilling test (vitamin B12 absorption test)
Providers must submit claims for vitamin B12 injections with one of the diagnosis codes in the following table:
Diagnosis Codes
1234 2662 2703 2704 2707 2810 2813 2819 3574 3575 37732 37734 5609 5642 5790 5791 5792 5793 5794 5798 5799 V453 V4575 V8741
Claims that are denied for indications or other diagnosis codes may be considered on appeal with documentation of medical necessity. Documentation must include rationale as to why the client was unable to be treated with oral therapy.
