Radiology Question for the Week of May 22, 2017

Question:

What code(s) do we report for contrast-enhanced ultrasound for vesicoureteral reflux?

Answer:

Hospitals billing under the hospital outpatient prospective payment system (OPPS) should report HCPCS code C9744–ultrasound, abdominal, with contrast.  In the April 2017 update of the hospital OPPS (Transmittal 3728), the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) noted that code C9744 may be used to describe use of a contrast agent in ultrasonography of the liver, kidneys, and/or bladder.  The transmittal may be found at https://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Guidance/Transmittals/2017Downloads/R3728CP.pdf.

Non-hospital imaging centers and physicians would report one of the following for a vesicoureteral reflux ultrasound:

Both hospital and non-hospital facilities should also report the appropriate HCPCS code for the contrast material itself.  For LUMASON^® (sulfur hexafluoride lipid-type A microsphere) for injectable suspension, for intravenous use or intravesical use, this would be Q9950, which is billed per mL.

LUMASON^® (sulfur hexafluoride lipid-type A microspheres) for injectable suspension, for intravenous use or intravesical use

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 by clicking here.

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.

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.