How To Use CPT Code 90377

CPT 90377 describes the administration of heat- and solvent/detergent-treated rabies immune globulin (RIg-HT S/D) for intramuscular and/or subcutaneous use. 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 90377?

CPT 90377 can be used to describe the administration of heat- and solvent/detergent-treated rabies immune globulin (RIg-HT S/D) for intramuscular and/or subcutaneous use. This code is used when a healthcare provider slowly administers the injection into the patient’s gluteal muscle or under the skin using an appropriately sized needle to provide short-term immunity against category III rabies.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 90377 is: ‘Rabies immune globulin, heat- and solvent/detergent-treated (RIg-HT S/D), human, for intramuscular and/or subcutaneous use.’

3. Procedure

1. The healthcare provider selects the appropriate dose of heat- and solvent/detergent-treated rabies immune globulin (RIg-HT S/D) for the patient.
2. The provider slowly administers the injection into the patient’s gluteal 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 injection of this gammaglobulin circulate through the body and help the body prevent or treat category III rabies.

4. Qualifying circumstances

Patients eligible to receive CPT 90377 are those who require protection against or treatment for category III rabies. Category III rabies refers to situations where there has been a bite or scratch from an infected or rabid animal, such as bats, raccoons, skunks, foxes, ferrets, cats, or dogs. The administration of heat- and solvent/detergent-treated rabies immune globulin (RIg-HT S/D) is necessary to provide short-term immunity against the rabies virus.

5. When to use CPT code 90377

CPT code 90377 should be used when a healthcare provider administers heat- and solvent/detergent-treated rabies immune globulin (RIg-HT S/D) for intramuscular and/or subcutaneous use to protect against or treat category III rabies. This code should be used for each administration of the injection.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 90377, the healthcare provider must document the following information:

• Patient’s diagnosis or indication for the administration of heat- and solvent/detergent-treated rabies immune globulin (RIg-HT S/D)
• Date and time of the administration
• Route of administration (intramuscular and/or subcutaneous)
• Dose of heat- and solvent/detergent-treated rabies immune globulin (RIg-HT S/D) administered
• Signature of the healthcare provider administering the injection

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT 90377, ensure that the administration is done using heat- and solvent/detergent-treated rabies immune globulin (RIg-HT S/D) for intramuscular and/or subcutaneous use. Follow the appropriate coding guidelines and ensure accurate documentation to support the claim. It is important to note that CPT code 90377 should not be reported with other codes for different types of rabies immune globulin or rabies vaccines.

8. Historical information

CPT 90377 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 2021. There have been no updates to the code since its addition.

9. Examples

1. A healthcare provider administers heat- and solvent/detergent-treated rabies immune globulin (RIg-HT S/D) to a patient who has been bitten by a rabid animal.
2. A patient presents with a scratch from a potentially rabid animal, and the healthcare provider administers the injection of heat- and solvent/detergent-treated rabies immune globulin (RIg-HT S/D) for protection against category III rabies.
3. Following a bite from a rabid animal, a healthcare provider administers the injection of heat- and solvent/detergent-treated rabies immune globulin (RIg-HT S/D) to a patient to prevent the development of rabies.
4. A patient with a confirmed diagnosis of category III rabies receives the injection of heat- and solvent/detergent-treated rabies immune globulin (RIg-HT S/D) for treatment purposes.
5. After being scratched by a potentially rabid animal, a patient receives the injection of heat- and solvent/detergent-treated rabies immune globulin (RIg-HT S/D) to prevent the onset of rabies symptoms.
6. A healthcare provider administers heat- and solvent/detergent-treated rabies immune globulin (RIg-HT S/D) to a patient who has been exposed to a rabid animal.
7. A patient seeks medical attention after being bitten by a rabid animal, and the healthcare provider administers the injection of heat- and solvent/detergent-treated rabies immune globulin (RIg-HT S/D) to prevent the development of rabies.
8. Following a bite from a potentially rabid animal, a healthcare provider administers the injection of heat- and solvent/detergent-treated rabies immune globulin (RIg-HT S/D) to a patient to provide immediate protection against category III rabies.
9. A patient with a confirmed diagnosis of category III rabies receives the injection of heat- and solvent/detergent-treated rabies immune globulin (RIg-HT S/D) as part of their treatment plan.