Summary & Overview
HCPCS A9697: Carboxydextran-Coated Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Injection
HCPCS Level II code A9697 represents injection of a carboxydextran-coated superparamagnetic iron oxide agent, billed per study dose. This code captures administration of a specialized iron-oxide–based imaging or research agent used in magnetic resonance or other advanced imaging protocols. Nationally, use of such agents is clinically significant for specific diagnostic indications and research studies where enhanced tissue contrast or nanoparticle-based imaging is required.
Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare and Medicare. Readers will find a concise synopsis of the code's clinical context, typical sites of service, and the payer landscape. The publication outlines how A9697 is typically billed, common modifier usage (provided separately), and where this code fits in imaging service lines.
This report provides benchmarks and policy-oriented observations relevant to national payers, highlights coding and billing considerations for imaging departments and ambulatory centers, and summarizes payer coverage patterns when available. Data not available in the input will be noted where relevant.
Billing Code Overview
HCPCS Level II code A9697 describes an injection of carboxydextran-coated superparamagnetic iron oxide, reported per study dose. This code applies to administration of a specialized injectable contrast or imaging agent formulated with iron oxide nanoparticles coated in carboxydextran, used in research or diagnostic imaging protocols that require a study-specific dosing approach.
Service Type: Diagnostic/Imaging Agent Administration
Typical Site of Service: Hospital outpatient imaging departments, ambulatory imaging centers, or other settings where diagnostic imaging studies are performed
Data not available in the input.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient is an adult referred to radiology for MRI liver lesion characterization when conventional imaging (ultrasound/CT) is indeterminate. The patient has a focal hepatic lesion on prior imaging and the ordering hepatologist or oncologist requests contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging using a liver-specific superparamagnetic iron oxide agent. The service involves administration of A9697 (injection, carboxydextran-coated superparamagnetic iron oxide, per study dose) by an authorized clinician or registered nurse under physician supervision in an outpatient imaging center or hospital radiology department.
The clinical workflow: the patient arrives for an MRI liver protocol; pre-procedure screening and informed consent are completed; IV access is obtained; patient vitals are assessed; the radiology nurse or technologist documents indications and allergies; the radiologist administers or directs administration of A9697 per institutional protocol; the MRI study is performed with post-contrast sequences; the radiologist interprets images and issues a report; nursing documents the administered A9697 dose, lot number, and any immediate adverse reactions; billing captures A9697 with appropriate ICD-10 diagnosis and any applicable CPT imaging and supervision codes.
Coding Specifications
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