Department of Health & Human Resources
JW Modifier: Drug Amount Discarded/Not Administered to any Patient
The CR was revised to change the effective and implementation dates. The article is revised accordingly. In the article, the CR release date, transmittal number and link to the CR were also changed. All other information remains the same.Provider Types Affected
This MLN Matters® Article is intended for physicians, providers, and suppliers submitting claims to Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) for drugs or biologicals administered to Medicare beneficiaries.
Provider Action Needed
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued CR 9603 to alert MACs and providers of the change in policy regarding the use of the JW modifier for discarded Part B drugs and biologicals.
Effective January 1, 2017, providers are required to:
• Use the JW modifier for claims with unused drugs or biologicals from single use vials or single use packages that are appropriately discarded (except those provided under the Competitive Acquisition Program (CAP) for Part B drugs and biologicals) and
• Document the discarded drug or biological in the patient's medical record when submitting claims with unused Part B drugs or biologicals from single use vials or single use packages that are appropriately discarded.