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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesDrugs Administered Other than Oral MethodHCPCS hcpcs-j1020-methylprednisolone-acetate-20mg-injection
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    HCPCS Level II J1020: Methylprednisolone Acetate Injection, 20 mg

    HCPCS Level II code J1020 describes a single unit of methylprednisolone acetate injection, 20 mg, typically used for intramuscular or intra-articular corticosteroid administration as an anti-inflammatory treatment; the service is a medication administration usually performed in outpatient clinics, physician offices, or ambulatory surgical centers where injectable corticosteroid therapy is provided.

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A typical patient is an adult presenting to an outpatient orthopedic clinic or pain management practice with focal joint or soft-tissue inflammatory pain such as an acute flare of osteoarthritis in a medium to large joint (shoulder, hip, knee) or a localized bursitis or tendonitis. After clinical evaluation and review of imaging when indicated (radiographs or ultrasound), the clinician determines that a corticosteroid injection is appropriate to reduce inflammation and improve function. The procedure is scheduled as an office or ambulatory procedure. In the workflow the patient is informed of risks and benefits; the injection site is prepped; local anesthetic may be administered; and J1020 (injection, methylprednisolone acetate, 20 mg) is drawn and injected either intra-articularly or into periarticular soft tissues. The clinician documents indication, consent, laterality, number of injections, medication name and dose, route, technique (eg, landmark-guided or ultrasound-guided), and any immediate patient response. Typical sites of service include outpatient office, ambulatory surgical center, or hospital outpatient department depending on clinician preference and patient factors. Common modifiers are applied when appropriate for services such as multiple procedures, bilateral procedures, professional component, or unusual procedural circumstances.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    20610Arthrocentesis, aspiration and/or injection; major joint or bursa (eg, shoulder, hip, knee)Commonly used when J1020 is injected into a major joint; code describes the injection procedure component.
    20550Injection(s); single tendon sheath, or ligament, aponeurosis (eg, plantar "fascia")Used for steroid injection into tendon sheath or periarticular soft tissues where J1020 may be administered.
    76942Ultrasound, surgical, interventional guidancePerformed when ultrasound guidance is used to assist accurate placement of the injection.
    20611Arthrocentesis, aspiration and/or injection; major joint or bursa, with ultrasound guidanceWhen the injection into a major joint uses ultrasound guidance, combining procedural and guidance elements.
    99070Supplies and materials (eg, bandages, sterile supplies)Used to report additional non-covered supplies used during the injection visit when payor allows separate supply billing.

    Related Modifiers

    6 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    22Modifier –22 (Increased Procedural Services) is used when a reported procedure is substantially more extensive than normally required. The CPT Manual and CMS state it may be appended only when the…- When to use: Append modifier -22 to a procedural CPT code when the service performed is substantially more extensive than the usual service described by that code — i.e., the procedure required…
    23Modifier -23 (Unusual Anesthesia) is used on anesthesia service CPT codes when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia…- Use modifier -23 only on anesthesia CPT codes (00100–01999) when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia because of…
    50Modifier –50 (Bilateral Procedure) is appended to a CPT code when an identical procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures during the same operative session. The AMA states to add…- Use modifier -50 when the same CPT surgical, diagnostic, or radiology procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures (both sides of the body) during the same operative/session by the same…
    52Modifier ‑52 (Reduced Services) indicates that a service or procedure was partially reduced or omitted at the provider’s discretion, allowing reporting of the basic procedure number with a qualifier…- Use modifier -52 when a physician or qualified health professional electively reduces or omits part of a procedure or service (for example, performing fewer required views or omitting a portion of…
    53Modifier 53 (Discontinued Procedure) signals that a surgical or diagnostic service was begun by the physician but terminated because of extenuating circumstances that threatened the patient’s…- Use modifier -53 when a physician/qualified healthcare professional has started a surgical or diagnostic procedure (e.g., anesthesia administered, incision or scope insertion) and then discontinues…
    62Modifier 62 indicates that two surgeons function as co‑surgeons, each performing distinct parts of the same primary surgical procedure. It is appended to the primary procedure code (and any…- Use modifier -62 when two surgeons act as co‑surgeons (both primary surgeons) on a single definitive primary procedure, each performing distinct parts of the same surgical procedure (append -62 to…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy CodeSpecialtyNotes
    2084P0800XPsychiatry PhysicianA Psychiatrist specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of mental disorders, emotional disorders, psychotic disorders, mood disorders, …
    207L00000XAnesthesiology PhysicianAn anesthesiologist is trained to provide pain relief and maintenance, or restoration, of a stable condition during and immediately following an opera…
    207K00000XAllergy & Immunology PhysicianAn allergist-immunologist is trained in evaluation, physical and laboratory diagnosis, and management of disorders involving the immune system. Select…
    163W00000XRegistered Nurse(1) A registered nurse is a person qualified by graduation from an accredited nursing school (depending upon schooling, a registered nurse may receive…
    2086S0102XSurgical Critical Care PhysicianA surgeon with expertise in the management of the critically ill and postoperative patient, particularly the trauma victim, who specializes in critica…
    207RH0002XHospice and Palliative Medicine (Internal Medicine) PhysicianAn internal medicine physician with special knowledge and skills to prevent and relieve the suffering experienced by patients with life-limiting illne…
    2086X0206XSurgical Oncology PhysicianA surgical oncologist is a well-qualified surgeon who has obtained additional training and experience in the multidisciplinary approach to the prevent…
    207YS0123XFacial Plastic Surgery PhysicianAn otolaryngologist who specializes in facial plastic surgery.

    Related Codes

    HCPCS-J0013-ESKETAMINE-NASAL-SPRAY-1MG

    HCPCS Level II J0013: Esketamine Nasal Spray, 1 mg

    HCPCS-J0120-INJECTION-TETRACYCLINE-250MG

    HCPCS Level II J0120: Injection, Tetracycline, up to 250 mg

    HCPCS-J0121-OMADACYCLINE-INJECTION-1MG

    HCPCS Level II J0121: Omadacycline Injection, 1 mg

    HCPCS-J0122-ERAVACYCLINE-INJECTION-1MG

    HCPCS Level II J0122: Injection, eravacycline, 1 mg

    HCPCS-J0129-ABATACEPT-INJECTION-10MG-PHYSICIAN-SUPERVISED

    HCPCS Level II J0129: Abatacept Injection, 10 mg

    HCPCS-J0130-INJECTION-ABCIXIMAB-10MG

    HCPCS Level II J0130: Injection abciximab, 10 mg

    HCPCS-J0131-INJECTION-ACETAMINOPHEN-10MG-PARENTERAL-ANALGESIC

    HCPCS Level II J0131: Injection, Acetaminophen 10 mg

    HCPCS-J0132-INJECTION-ACETYLCYSTEINE-100MG-INJECTABLE-MEDICATION

    HCPCS Level II J0132: Injection, Acetylcysteine 100 mg

    HCPCS-J0133-ACYCLOVIR-INJECTION-5MG

    HCPCS Level II J0133: Injection, Acyclovir 5 mg

    HCPCS-J0134-ACETAMINOPHEN-INJECTION-FRESENIUS-KABI-10MG

    HCPCS Level II J0134: Injection, Acetaminophen (10 mg)

    Showing 1–10 of 991

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
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