Q: Do we have to bill our drug codes with modifier JW? Do we have to list the unused portion on a separate line with the JW modifier?

A: CIGNA Government Services will accept the JW modifier. The JW modifier is used when submitting a claim for drugs that were discarded. When submitting a claim, the used and unused portions of the drug or biological are billed on a single line.

MS encourages providers to schedule patients in such a way they can use drugs or biologicals most efficiently. However, if a provider must discard the remainder of a single vial or other single use package after administering the drug or biological, Medicare provides payment for the amount of drug or biological discarded along with the amount administered. Please refer to the Medicare Claims Processing Manual, Pub-100, Chapter 17; http://www.cms.hhs.gov/manuals/downloads/clm104c17.pdf) for complete guidelines.