IV Push Injection Coding – CPT Codes 96374, 96375, 96376

Intravenous (IV) push injections are frequently administered in emergency departments, outpatient hospital settings, and physician offices. Accurate reporting requires understanding CPT hierarchy rules, documentation standards, and the distinction between same-drug and different-drug administrations. This guide explains CPT codes 96374, 96375, and 96376, including when to report each code and common billing mistakes to avoid.

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CPT Code 96374 – Initial IV Push

Therapeutic, prophylactic, or diagnostic injection (specify substance or drug); intravenous push, single or initial substance/drug.

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When to Report 96374

Report 96374 when:

• The patient receives a therapeutic, diagnostic, or prophylactic IV push.

• It is the initial injectable service for that IV access site.

• No infusion service takes precedence under CPT hierarchy rules.

• Only one initial code per IV access site per encounter may be reported.

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CPT Code 96375 – Additional IV Push (Different Drug)

Each additional sequential intravenous push of a new substance/drug (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure).

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When to Report 96375

Report 96375 when:

• A different medication is administered via IV push.

• It follows an initial IV push (96374).

• It is medically necessary and separately documented.

96375 is an add-on code and cannot be billed alone.

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When to Report 96376

Report 96376 when:

• The same medication is administered again.

• The second push occurs at least 30 minutes after the previous administration.

• The service is performed in a facility setting.

96376 is generally not reported in physician office (non-facility) settings.

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Injection & Infusion Hierarchy Rules

CPT establishes a hierarchy for reporting hydration, injections, and infusions: Infusions.

IV Push Hydration: If an infusion and IV push occur during the same encounter:

• The infusion is considered the initial service.

• The IV push may be reported as an additional service when appropriate.

Example: If a patient receives a one-hour IV antibiotic infusion followed by IV anti-nausea medication via push, the infusion code is reported as initial.

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Common Billing Errors

• Reporting 96375 without an initial code.

• Reporting 96376 without 30-minute interval documentation.

• Billing multiple initial services for the same IV site.

• Ignoring infusion hierarchy.

• Reporting 96376 in non-facility settings.

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