Cardiology Question for the Week of January 16, 2017

Question:

We were told we should bill code 96374 for administration of LUMASON® (sulfur hexafluoride lipid-type A microspheres) for injectable suspension, for intravenous use or intravesical use with echocardiogram with contrast, but we are getting denials for this code. Is there another code we should use?

Answer:

The American Medical Association (AMA) recommended adding code 96374 when contrast is administered for a rest echocardiogram, so we include that recommendation when we discuss coding for echocardiogram with LUMASON®. However, we always stress that it may not be paid because coverage of that code is up to the individual payer. In fact, in the NCCI Policy Manual for Medicare Services, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services specifically state that 96374 should NOT be reported. If you have received policy instructions or denials from other payers, then you should not report 96374 to those payers either.

LUMASON^® (sulfur hexafluoride lipid-type A microspheres) for injectable suspension

• Fair Balance (INDICATIONS AND USAGE, CONTRAINDICATIONS)
• IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
• FDA statement with link
• Prescribing Information statement with link
• Manufacturing Statement
• Registration Information
• Bracco Diagnostics Inc. Contact Information

INDICATIONS AND USAGE¹
LUMASON is an ultrasound contrast agent indicated for use:
• in echocardiography to opacify the left ventricular chamber and to improve the delineation of the left ventricular endocardial border in adult patients with suboptimal echocardiograms
• in ultrasonography of the liver for characterization of focal liver lesions in adult and pediatric patients
• in ultrasonography of the urinary tract for the evaluation of suspected or known vesicoureteral reflux in pediatric patients

CONTRAINDICATIONS¹
LUMASON is contraindicated in patients with:
• history of hypersensitivity reactions to sulfur hexafluoride lipid microsphere components or to any of the inactive ingredients in LUMASON

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION¹

The risk for serious cardiopulmonary reactions may be increased among patients with unstable cardiopulmonary conditions (acute myocardial infarction, acute coronary artery syndromes, worsening or unstable congestive heart failure, or serious ventricular arrhythmias) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].¹

Please see full Prescribing Information including boxed WARNING at http://www.braccoimaging.com/us-en/products-and-solutions/contrast-enhanced-ultrasound/lumason/prescribing-information

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

LUMASON is manufactured for Bracco Diagnostics Inc., Monroe Township, NJ 08831 by Bracco Suisse S.A., Plan-les-Ouates Geneve, Switzerland (LUMASON lyophilized powder vial-25 mg lipid-type A/60.7 sulfur hexafluoride gas); Vetter Pharma-Fertigung GmbH & Co. KG, 88212 Ravensburg, Germany (Sodium Chloride 0.9% Injection, USP); B. Braun Melsungen AG, 34212 Melsungen, Germany (Mini-Spike).

LUMASON is a registered trademark of Bracco Diagnostics Inc.

When SonoVue® is mentioned use the following statement:
SonoVue is a registered trademark of Bracco Suisse S.A.

1. LUMASON (sulfur hexafluoride lipid-type A microspheres) for injectable suspension, for intravenous use or intravesical use full Prescribing Information. Monroe Twp., NJ: Bracco Diagnostics Inc.; December 2016.

Bracco Diagnostics Inc.
259 Prospect Plains Road, Building H
Monroe Township, NJ 08831 USA
Phone: 609-514-2200
Toll Free: 1-877-272-2269 (U.S. only)
Fax: 609-514-2446

©2016 Bracco Diagnostics Inc. All Rights Reserved.