Summary & Overview
HCPCS A9581: Gadoxetate Disodium Injection, 1 ml
HCPCS Level II code A9581 denotes an injection of gadoxetate disodium, 1 ml, a gadolinium-based MRI contrast agent used to enhance hepatic and other soft-tissue imaging. As a supply/drug code, A9581 is used on claims to identify the specific contrast product and volume administered, which affects coding accuracy, clinical documentation, and payer adjudication.
Key payers addressed in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find national-level context on how this HCPCS Level II code is applied across typical imaging sites of service, plus discussion of common billing considerations tied to contrast agents. The publication covers operational benchmarks for supply coding, payer coverage patterns where available, and the clinical role of gadoxetate disodium in MRI contrast enhancement.
This overview provides clinicians, billing staff, and policy analysts with clear definitions of the code, the service it represents, and the clinical setting where it is commonly used. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable; the focus remains on code definition, expected use cases, and the payers included in the scope of the analysis.
Billing Code Overview
HCPCS Level II code A9581 represents injection, gadoxetate disodium, 1 ml. This code describes a radiology contrast agent formulation used for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) enhancement when gadoxetate disodium is administered as an injectable product.
Service type: Contrast agent injection for MRI enhancement.
Typical site of service: Hospital outpatient radiology departments, ambulatory imaging centers, and other facilities where contrast-enhanced MRI studies are performed.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient is an adult referred for a contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the liver to evaluate focal hepatic lesions, suspected hepatocellular carcinoma, or characterization of indeterminate liver lesions detected on ultrasound or CT. The radiology team confirms indications, reviews renal function (eGFR), and documents allergy history. At the MRI suite, an intravenous line is established, and gadoxetate disodium (A9581) is drawn and prepared in milliliter units per dose. The technologist administers the injection immediately prior to hepatobiliary-phase imaging sequences per protocol; the attending radiologist or supervised advanced practice provider documents dose administered, lot number, and any immediate adverse reactions. Typical workflow includes preauthorization verification with payors, medication billing using A9581 for the contrast agent, and linking the injection to the MRI procedure and relevant diagnosis codes in the medical record for claim submission.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
00 | No modifier/normal reporting | Routine submission when no special modifier applies to the service. |