How To Use CPT Code 90989

CPT 90989 describes the training provided to patients and their helpers for various dialysis procedures. This article will cover the official description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information, similar codes and billing examples.

1. What is CPT Code 90989?

CPT 90989 can be used to describe the training services provided to patients and their helpers for all dialysis procedures. This code is used when the provider trains the patient and/or their helper in all the procedures related to dialysis, regardless of the mode of dialysis. The training may include teaching the patient and/or their helper how to clean and access the catheter, identify signs of infection, and perform the dialysis treatments.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 90989 is: ‘Dialysis training, patient, including helper where applicable, any mode, completed course.’

3. Procedure

1. The provider conducts a complete course of training for the patient and/or their helper on all the procedures related to dialysis.
2. The training may include teaching the patient and/or their helper how to clean and access the catheter, identify signs of infection, and perform the dialysis treatments.
3. The provider reports this service at the end of the course of training, indicating that all training sessions are complete.

4. Qualifying circumstances

Patients eligible to receive CPT 90989 services are those who require training in all the procedures related to dialysis. This may include patients who are starting dialysis for the first time or those who need a refresher course on dialysis procedures. The training may also involve the patient’s helper, if applicable. The provider must ensure that all training sessions are completed before reporting this code.

5. When to use CPT code 90989

CPT code 90989 should be used when the provider has completed a full course of training for the patient and/or their helper on all the procedures related to dialysis. This code should only be reported once at the end of the training course, indicating that all training sessions are complete.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 90989, the provider must document the following information:

• Reason for the training and the need for the patient and/or their helper to learn the dialysis procedures
• Details of the training sessions, including the topics covered and the duration of each session
• Completion of all training sessions and the overall course of training
• Signature of the provider who conducted the training

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT 90989, ensure that the provider has completed a full course of training for the patient and/or their helper on all the procedures related to dialysis. This code should only be reported once at the end of the training course. Do not report CPT 90989 and CPT 90993 together, as they represent different scenarios of completed and incomplete training courses. Follow any additional guidelines provided by the payer regarding the reporting of this code.

8. Historical information

CPT 90989 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 1991. There have been no updates to the code since its addition.

9. Examples

1. A provider completes a full course of training for a patient and their helper on all the procedures related to peritoneal dialysis.
2. A patient who is starting hemodialysis receives a complete course of training on how to access the catheter, perform the dialysis treatments, and identify signs of infection.
3. A provider conducts a full course of training for a patient and their helper on all the procedures related to home hemodialysis.
4. A patient who needs a refresher course on peritoneal dialysis receives a complete training course on the procedures involved.
5. A provider completes a full course of training for a patient and their helper on all the procedures related to continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.
6. A patient who is transitioning from in-center hemodialysis to home hemodialysis receives a complete course of training on the procedures involved.
7. A provider conducts a full course of training for a patient and their helper on all the procedures related to nocturnal hemodialysis.
8. A patient who is starting peritoneal dialysis receives a complete training course on how to perform the dialysis treatments and manage the catheter.
9. A provider completes a full course of training for a patient and their helper on all the procedures related to home peritoneal dialysis.
10. A patient who needs a refresher course on hemodialysis receives a complete training course on the procedures involved.