HCPCS Code J7308: Aminolevulinic Acid HCl Topical, 20%, Single Unit Dosage Form (354 mg)

Learn about the HCPCS Code J7308 for Aminolevulinic acid hcl for topical administration, 20%, single unit dosage form (354 mg).

Use Code

## **What is the HCPCS code J7308 for?** The HCPCS code J7308 is meant to designate aminolevulinic acid hcl for topical administration, 20%, single unit dosage form (354 mg). This is more commonly referred to as topical photo dynamic therapy (PDT) or aminolevulinic acid hydrochloride topical administration. This specific procedure involves applying a special kind of medication (a photosensitive drug/photosensitizing drug) to a patient's skin, specifically areas with actinic keratosis, a skin condition characterized by the emergence of rough or scaly patches on the skin due to prolonged/excessive sunlight exposure. These areas are usually the face and the scalp. It can also be applied to the adjacent mucosa (actinic cheilitis). This medication will then be exposed to a light source (blue light or red light). The medication will destroy premalignant lesions and abnormal cells in these patches to restore their normal appearance and reduce the risk of progression to squamous cell carcinoma, the skin cancer most commonly associated with actinic keratosis. This treatment is indicated for patients with actinic keratosis who can tolerate light exposure therapy. Qualified health care professionals must confirm the patient’s condition and suitability for photodynamic therapy before administration. Patients who undergo this treatment must avoid sun exposure for at least two days.

## **Documentation requirements for J7308** The documentation requirements for this photodynamic therapy include the following: - The full name of the personnel who administered the topical application + their credentials - The name and address of the facility where the treatment was provided - The full name of the patient - The date and time the patient was treated - The product administered and its respective NDC code - The unit quantity (single unit dosage form of 354 mg) - The official diagnosis of actinic keratosis (or actinic keratoses if there are multiple) - The PDT protocol, including the topical external application and subsequent light exposure

## **Billing requirements for J7308** Besides the aforementioned documentation requirements above, it's best to also have the following: - Proper unit indications (a single 354 mg dosage is equal to 1 unit) - Use either of two modifiers: JW if there's unused medication in a vial (wastage), or JZ if there's no unused medication. - The proper ICD-10-CM code for actinic keratosis is L57.0. Other codes are generally not accepted unless specifically listed by a payer in their coverage policy. Please ensure to follow proper CMS/Medicare or other official mandates regarding billing to ensure that your billing goes smoothly and no claims are rejected.

## **Other similar codes** - **J7345** - Aminolevulinic acid hcl for topical administration, 10% gel, 10 mg (may be used for basal cell carcinoma)

Frequently asked questions

In a dermatology clinic or outpatient setting.

It takes 4 to 5 hours. 3 hours will be spent waiting for the skin to absorb the medicine, then the rest will be spent applying light exposure, cleansing, and applying sun protection measures.

It's possible for the patient to feel discomfort at the treatment site. Rare complications include infections at the treatment site, and severe skin reactions/burns.