06/13/2016

JW Modifier: Drug Amount Discarded/Not Administered to any Patient

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued CR 9603 to alert MACs and providers of the change in policy regarding the use of the JW modifier for discarded Part B drugs and biologicals.

Effective January 1, 2017, providers are required to:

• Use the JW modifier for claims with unused drugs or biologicals from single use vials or single use packages that are appropriately discarded (except those provided under the Competitive Acquisition Program (CAP) for Part B drugs and biologicals) and
• Document the discarded drug or biological in the patient's medical record when submitting claims with unused Part B drugs or biologicals from single use vials or single use packages that are appropriately discarded. Make sure that your billing staffs are aware of these changes.

Remember that the JW modifier is not used on claims for CAP drugs and biologicals.

For more information, Click Here.