How To Use CPT Code 90375

CPT 90375 describes the administration of rabies immune globulin (RIg) to prevent or treat category III rabies. This article will cover the description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information, similar codes and billing examples.

1. What is CPT Code 90375?

CPT 90375 can be used to describe the administration of rabies immune globulin (RIg) to prevent or treat category III rabies. This code is used when a healthcare provider injects RIg into the patient’s muscle or under the skin using an appropriately sized needle. The purpose of this injection is to provide short-term immunity by circulating antibodies through the body to help prevent or treat rabies.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 90375 is: ‘Rabies immune globulin (RIg), human, for intramuscular and/or subcutaneous use.’

3. Procedure

1. The healthcare provider selects the appropriate dose of RIg based on the patient’s weight and the severity of the potential rabies exposure.
2. The provider administers the injection slowly into the patient’s muscle or under the skin using an appropriately sized needle.
3. The injection is done to produce short-term immunity as the antibodies from the RIg circulate through the body and help prevent or treat category III rabies.

4. Qualifying circumstances

Patients eligible to receive CPT 90375 are those who have been exposed to rabies or are at high risk of exposure. This code is used when the healthcare provider administers RIg to prevent or treat category III rabies. Category III rabies refers to situations where there is a high risk of exposure, such as a bite or scratch from an infected animal. The RIg used must be derived from pooled human plasma, sourced from non-remunerated healthy donors, with a high titer of antibodies to the rabies virus.

5. When to use CPT code 90375

CPT code 90375 should be used when a healthcare provider administers RIg to prevent or treat category III rabies. It is important to ensure that the RIg is administered either intramuscularly or subcutaneously, as specified in the code description. If heat-treated human RIg (RIg-HT) is used, CPT code 90376 should be reported instead.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 90375, the healthcare provider must document the following information:

• Patient’s exposure to rabies or high risk of exposure
• Dose of RIg administered
• Route of administration (intramuscular or subcutaneous)
• Date and time of the injection
• Signature of the healthcare provider administering the injection

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT 90375, ensure that the healthcare provider administers RIg either intramuscularly or subcutaneously. It is important to follow the specific guidelines for reporting RIg administration and to use the appropriate code based on the type of RIg used. CPT code 90375 should not be reported with other codes for RIg administration. Additional tips for reporting CPT code 90375 can be found in the official documentation.

8. Historical information

CPT 90375 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 1999. There have been no updates to the code since its addition.

9. Examples

1. A healthcare provider administers RIg to a patient who has been bitten by a rabid animal.
2. A healthcare provider administers RIg to a patient who has been scratched by a potentially rabid animal.
3. A healthcare provider administers RIg to a patient who works in a high-risk occupation, such as a veterinarian or animal control officer.
4. A healthcare provider administers RIg to a patient who has been exposed to rabies while traveling in a high-risk area.
5. A healthcare provider administers RIg to a patient who has been in close contact with a pet that has tested positive for rabies.
6. A healthcare provider administers RIg to a patient who has been exposed to rabies through a laboratory accident.
7. A healthcare provider administers RIg to a patient who has been bitten by a bat, a known carrier of rabies.
8. A healthcare provider administers RIg to a patient who has been scratched by a raccoon, a potential carrier of rabies.
9. A healthcare provider administers RIg to a patient who has been bitten by a stray dog, a potential carrier of rabies.
10. A healthcare provider administers RIg to a patient who has been exposed to rabies through a wild animal bite.