The National Uniform Billing Committee’s (NUBC) definitions of implants are:
An implantable device is that which is implanted, such as a piece of tissue, a tooth, a pellet of medicine, or a tube or needle containing radioactive substance, a graft or an insert. Also included are liquid and solid plastic materials used to augment tissues, or to fill in areas traumatically or surgically removed. Also included is an object or material partially or totally inserted or grafted into the body for prosthetic, therapeutic or diagnostic purposes.
Examples of other implants reported under revenue code 278 include stents, artificial joints, shunts, grafts, pins, plates, screws, anchors and radioactive seeds (not an all-inclusive list).
Supplies that are not implantable should be submitted as supply charges. In conjunction, a device is not a “material or supply furnished incident to a service.” Items used as routine supplies should not be submitted as an implant.
Guide wires, catheters and clips that are used during surgery, but do not remain in the body, are used the same way as an instrument and are not “implanted” should not be submitted as an implant.
Additional reference and definition of implantable devices, supplies and materials can be located in the UB04 Editor and the website of the implantable device’s manufacturer.