Context
This very common scenario is billed by oncologists and haematologists when delivering chemotherapy via an infuser pump such as a folfox. The typical scenario is that the patient comes in on day 1 to have the pump connected and loaded, is home on day 2 and returns for the disconnect on day 3. Usually the entire course of treatment is billed under supervision arrangements with the medical practitioners not usually attending the patient at all. Oncology nurses typically administer the entire regime. Here are some examples of reported confusion around the correct billing of this course of treatment using item 13950. 1. Doctor A had received advice that Item 13950 can be billed on all 3 days even when the patient was at home on day 2. 2. Doctor B had received advice that she could bill item 13950 on day 3 when the pump was disconnected, but could not bill item 14221 on that day. 3. Doctor C was advised he could bill item 13950 everyday while his patients were admitted and receiving a continuous chemotherapy infusion, even if he did not attend the patient (that this could be supervised). This was also not only legally incorrect, but alarming.
