Summary & Overview
HCPCS B4172: Parenteral Amino Acid Solution, 5.5%–7%, Home Mix
HCPCS Level II code B4172 denotes a home-mix parenteral nutrition solution containing amino acids at concentrations of 5.5%–7%, billed per 500 ml unit. This supply-line code is used when amino acid solutions are prepared for home infusion, supporting patients who require intravenous nutritional support outside of acute care settings. Nationally, coverage and reimbursement for home infusion supplies affect care continuity, patient access to parenteral nutrition, and cost management for payers and providers.
Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. The publication summarizes payer coverage patterns, typical billing practices, and common clinical contexts in which home parenteral amino acid solutions are used.
Readers will find benchmarks for utilization and reimbursement trends, an explanation of clinical indications and service delivery for home parenteral nutrition, and a review of policy and coding considerations relevant to B4172. The report also highlights documentation elements and service-line implications for home infusion providers. Data not available in the input will be noted where applicable.
Billing Code Overview
HCPCS Level II code B4172 describes a parenteral nutrition solution composed of amino acids at 5.5% through 7% concentration, provided as a home mix in a 500 ml unit (reported as 1 unit per 500 ml). This item represents a component of parenteral nutrition therapy supplied for patients receiving intravenous nutritional support outside of an institutional setting.
Service type: Parenteral nutrition supply (amino acid solution)
Typical site of service: Home infusion / patient residence
Data not available in the input.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 62-year-old patient with chronic intestinal failure secondary to short bowel syndrome requires long-term home parenteral nutrition. The patient is discharged from an acute care hospital after stabilization of electrolyte balance and fluid status. A home infusion pharmacy prepares a customized parenteral nutrition admixture containing an amino acid solution concentrated between 5.5% and 7% supplied as B4172 (500 mL unit). A home health nurse trains the patient and caregiver on aseptic compounding administration, central venous catheter care, daily infusion procedures, and troubleshooting. The clinical workflow includes physician orders for total parenteral nutrition (TPN) specifying amino acid concentration and volume, coordination with the home infusion provider for compounding and shipping, nursing home visit for catheter dressing changes and competency assessment, and regular outpatient metabolic and nutrition follow-up to adjust formulation based on labs and weight changes.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
00 | No modifier — standard reporting | When no additional modifier applies to the service. |
| 52 | Reduced service | When the parenteral nutrition unit or volume provided is less than originally planned.