Action Alerts
LOCM, MRI Contrast, HOCM Coding Changes for 2006
February 2006
Some coding changes for low osmolar contrast material
(LOCM), MRI contrast agents and high osmolar contrast material (HOCM) were made effective January 1, 2006.
Coding Changes for LOCM
CY 2006
Code |
CY 2006 HCPCS Description |
| Q9945 |
Low osmolar contrast material, up to 149 mg/ml iodine concentration, per ml |
| Q9946 |
Low osmolar contrast material, 150-199 mg/ml iodine concentration, per ml |
| Q9947 |
Low osmolar contrast material, 200-249 mg/ml iodine concentration, per ml |
| Q9948 |
Low osmolar contrast material, 250-299 mg/ml iodine concentration, per ml |
| Q9949 |
Low osmolar contrast material, 300-349 mg/ml iodine concentration, per ml |
| Q9950 |
Low osmolar contrast material, 350-399 mg/ml iodine concentration, per ml |
| Q9951 |
Low osmolar contrast material, 400 or greater mg/ml iodine concentration, per ml |
HCPCS codes A4644, A4645 and A4646 that were used to describe low osmolar contrast material prior to January 1, 2006 have been deleted.
Coding Changes for MRI Contrast Agents
CY 2006
Code |
CY 2006 HCPCS Description |
| Q9952 |
Injection, gadolinium-based magnetic resonance contrast agent, per ml |
| Q9953 |
Injection, iron-based magnetic resonance contrast agent, per ml |
| Q9954 |
Oral magnetic resonance contrast agent, per 100 ml |
HCPCS codes A4643 and A4647 that were used to report MRI contrast agents prior to January 1, 2006 have been deleted.
Coding Changes for HOCM
| Q9958 |
High osmolar contrast material, up to 149 mg/ml iodine concentration, per ml |
| Q9959 |
High osmolar contrast material, 150-199 mg/ml iodine concentration, per ml |
| Q9960 |
High osmolar contrast material, 200-249 mg/ml iodine concentration, per ml |
| Q9961 |
High osmolar contrast material, 250-299 mg/ml iodine concentration, per ml |
| Q9962 |
High osmolar contrast material, 300-349 mg/ml iodine concentration, per ml |
| Q9963 |
High osmolar contrast material, 350-399 mg/ml iodine concentration, per ml |
| Q9964 |
High osmolar contrast material, 400 or greater mg/ml iodine concentration, per ml |
Your hospital’s charge description master (CDM) should be updated to reflect these changes.
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