(Dec 19, 2008)

NHIA is pleased to announce that the 2009 version of the NHIA National Coding Standard for Home Infusion Claims under HIPAA is now available and still offered to the public at no charge. First published in 2002, this document of procedures and examples for coding home infusion claims is widely used by payers and providers throughout the United States.

The publication presents the HCPCS (Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System) per diem "S-codes" as a comprehensive coding system for home infusion therapy claims and provides procedures for their use, information about what's included in the home infusion per diem, and detailed coding examples for both typical and unusual claims scenarios that payers and providers are likely to encounter when using the per diem coding system. Procedures and claim examples for services provided in the Ambulatory Infusion Suite of the Home Infusion Therapy Provider (AIS) are also included.

As compared to the 2008 version, the new National Coding Standard clarifies the use of the Not Otherwise Classified (NOC) per diem codes for different routes of NOC drug administration.

• Download the 2009 NHIA National Coding Standard for Home Infusion Claims under HIPAA, version 1.09.01a (free, registration required)

• Obtain NHIA's Quick Coding Reference for Home Infusion Therapy.

• Visit the HIEC Resource Center.

A summary of the changes to the National Coding Standard follows.

Not Otherwise Classified (NOC) Therapies. We have clarified the use of the NOC per diem codes for different routes of NOC drug administration. Specifically, that the general code S9379 is used for NOC infusion therapies (including NOC administration through an IV line, into an implanted pump, or “IV push” administration) and the general code S9542 is used for NOC injectable therapies (including NOC subcutaneous or intramuscular administration).

Other Enhancements. Changes are made to keep the National Coding Standard current.