January 28, 2005

The IVIG Supply Index represents on-hand supply at the nation's largest distributor of
fractionated plasma products.
From the CDC and AMA
National Influenza Vaccine Summit stresses it's not too late to vaccinate against flu  LINK...

From the CMS
Medicare Demonstration Project Pays for Flu Medicines   LINK...

From Octapharma
Octagam — A Better Solution  LINK...

Pending Shortage of VZIG

The manufacturer of VZIG (Varicella Zoster Immune Globulin), Massachusetts Public Health Biologic Laboratories, recently announced its decision to permanently discontinue the production of VZIG. As a result, only a limited quantity of the 125-unit size is available. The 625-unit VZIG can still be ordered on a regular stocking basis.

In our ongoing efforts to provide Wow! Customer Care and to assure a reliable supply to those who are truly in need, we ask that you only order the 125-unit VZIG if it is required for an actual exposure to varicella. We are also requesting that orders be limited to hospitals, physician's offices, health departments, or other primary care facilities.

A few points to remember
about VZIG:
  • The 625-unit VZIG cannot be used as a multi-dose vial (i.e., substitute for a 125-unit dose), because it does not contain a preservative

  • The 625-unit VZIG is recommended for use primarily as a single-use vial for patients over 88 lbs.
We will continue to provide information about the VZIG supply as it becomes available. Thank you for supporting our commitment to Helping Healthcare Care.




Physicians: Use New "G" Codes for Your Medicare Drug Administration

As reported in our January 13 issue of BioSupply Trends, Medicare now requires physician providers to bill most drug administration services using a set of temporary "G" codes in place of the CPT codes used in the past.

Below is a comparison of the old CPT code to the new "G" code for non-chemotherapy injections and infusions (other than hydration):

Old CPT
"G" code
Description
90780
G0347
Intravenous infusion, for therapy/diagnosis, initial, up to one hour
90781
G0348
Each additional hour, up to eight (8) hours
90781
G0349
Additional sequential infusion, up to 1 hour
N/A
G0350
Concurrent infusion
90782
G0351
Therapeutic or diagnostic injection, SQ or IM

Thus, for IVIG infusions billed to Medicare beneficiaries, you should now use G0347 for the first hour of infusion. For each additional hour, use G0348.

A complete listing of all 18 new "G" codes, including codes for hydration and chemotherapy administration, appears on pages 66305-6 of the November 15, 2004 Federal Register. In 2006, Medicare plans to replace all of these temporary "G" codes with new CPT codes.

Your billing staff should check with other insurers to determine whether to bill this year with the old CPT codes (90780 and 90781 for IVIG) or "G" codes.
Visit fffenterprises.com BioSupply Trends is published by FFF Enterprises, the nation's most trusted distributor of biopharmaceuticals, plasma products and vaccines. FFF Enterprises is accelerating the availability of products, from development to delivery. Contact FFF Enterprises at www.fffenterprises.com or 800-843-7477.

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