Question:
How should multiple IV pushes of the same drug be reported during an observation encounter, and when can code 96376 be assigned?
Answer:
Multiple IV pushes of the same drug are coded for each administration for the entire observation encounter. Each date of service does not restart use of code 96374 or 96375. Code 96376 can be reported for each IV push of the same substance/drug if a minimum of 31 minutes has elapsed between administrations of the same drug. This 31-minute lapse in time is not a requirement for administration of the drug itself—only for determining how many billed units can be reported for 96376.
