Effective January 1, 2017, when processing claims for Part B drugs and biologicals, except those provided under Competitive Acquisition Program (CAP), the use of the JW modifier to identify unused drugs or biologicals that are appropriately discarded is required.
The current policy allows contractors the discretion to determine whether to require the JW modifier for any claims with discarded drugs or biologicals, and the specific details regarding how the discarded drug or biological information should be documented.
In order to more effectively identify and monitor billing and payment for discarded drugs and biologicals, CMS is revising this policy to require the uniform use of the JW modifier for all claims with discarded Part B drugs and biologicals.
Also, effective January 1, 2017, providers are required to document the discarded drug or biological in the patient’s medical record.
CMS encourages physicians, hospitals and other providers and suppliers to care for and administer drugs and biologicals to patients in such a way that they can use drugs or biologicals most efficiently, in a clinically appropriate manner.
Read the entire MedLearn Matter Article 9963 here: https://www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Education/Medicare-Learning-Network-MLN/MLNMattersArticles/Downloads/MM9603.pdf
