Hydration CPT codes 96360 and 96361 are used to report intravenous (IV) hydration therapy. Here’s a brief coding guide for these codes:
- CPT code 96360: Intravenous infusion, hydration; initial, 31 minutes to 1 hour
- Use this code to report the first hour of IV hydration therapy
- This code can only be reported once per session
- CPT code 96361: Intravenous infusion, hydration; each additional hour (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
- Use this code to report each additional hour of IV hydration therapy after the first hour
- This code can be reported multiple times in the same session as long as the time spent on hydration therapy exceeds one hour
Here are some additional tips for coding hydration therapy:
- Hydration therapy is typically reported using these codes when it is administered as a stand-alone service or as part of a larger service that does not have hydration therapy bundled in.
- Hydration therapy is often provided to patients who are dehydrated or who are unable to take fluids orally due to illness or medical treatment.
- Documentation should include the start and stop times of the IV hydration therapy, as well as the reason for the therapy and the type and amount of fluids administered.
It’s important to consult the latest coding guidelines and consult with a certified coder for more detailed information and guidance on coding hydration therapy.