Method to Calculate Hormone Therapy for Men with Prostate Cancer

Source: Shahinian VB, Kuo YF, Freeman JL, Goodwin JS. Risk of fracture after androgen deprivation for prostate cancer. N Engl J Med 2005 Jan 13;352(2):154-64.

GnRH Agonists: HCPCS codes J9202, J1950, J9217, J9218, J9219 (23)

Number of GnRH Agonist Doses: Calculated from each instance of a GnRH agonist HCPCS J-code noted on separate days. GnRH agonists are generally administered as depot injections with the dosage given depending on the intended regimen; usually once a month, once every three month or once every four month regimens. The dosage for a given injection can be determined from the unit designation (1, 3 or 4) of the "carrier miles/time/units/serv count" field of the physician services claims or if unavailable, from the "revenue center unit count" field of the outpatient claims. All doses can be converted to a once a month regimen, ie. an injection given to cover a 3 month period was counted as 3 doses. If the unit designation is not 1, 3 or 4 (3.9% of cases), it can be set to 1. Only one claim per day should be counted (2.7% of cases had "duplicate" claims on the same day).