Summary & Overview
HCPCS A9578: Gadobenate Dimeglumine Injection, Per mL
HCPCS Level II code A9578 identifies the per-milliliter charge for gadobenate dimeglumine (Multihance multipack), an intravenous MRI contrast agent used to improve lesion detection and characterization across a range of clinical indications. Nationally, contrast agent billing codes like A9578 matter because they influence imaging episode costs, hospital outpatient and ambulatory imaging reimbursement, and payer coverage policies for advanced diagnostic imaging.
Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of what A9578 represents, typical sites where the service is delivered, and the clinical context for use. The publication summarizes common billing modifiers and administrative considerations, and points readers to benchmarks and policy updates where available. It also outlines the service line implications for radiology departments and imaging centers, including cost drivers tied to contrast dosing and multipack vial billing.
This national summary is intended to orient billing managers, radiology administrators, and policy analysts to the core characteristics of HCPCS Level II code A9578 and what to expect when it appears on outpatient imaging claims.
Billing Code Overview
HCPCS Level II code A9578 describes the injection formulation of gadobenate dimeglumine (Multihance multipack), priced per milliliter. This billing entry represents the contrast agent administered intravenously for enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies.
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Service type: Diagnostic contrast injection for MRI
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Typical site of service: Hospital outpatient imaging centers, standalone radiology or imaging centers, and outpatient clinics performing MRI scans
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Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient is an adult referred to outpatient radiology for a contrast-enhanced MRI of the abdomen, liver, or brain to characterize a focal lesion detected on prior imaging or to stage known malignancy. The patient arrives to the MRI suite, is screened for renal function and gadolinium contraindications, an IV access is established, and weight is documented to calculate contrast volume. The radiology nurse or technologist prepares and documents administration of gadobenate dimeglumine supplied in a multipack vial. The radiologist supervises contrast administration, performs MRI sequences, documents contrast lot number and volume billed using A9578 per mL, and the charge is submitted with appropriate modifiers for service circumstances and provider role. Typical sites of service include outpatient hospital imaging centers, freestanding radiology clinics, and occasionally inpatient imaging within a hospital.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
00 | Service provided in whole or part by a hospital-based facility component (institutional) | Use when facility billing requires a facility-only code indicator; rarely appended by suppliers for HCPCS II contrast reporting |
11 |