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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesDrugs Administered Other than Oral MethodHCPCS hcpcs-j1642-heparin-lock-flush-per-10-units
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    HCPCS Level II J1642: Heparin Sodium Injection, Heparin Lock Flush

    HCPCS Level II code J1642 describes administration of heparin sodium used as a heparin lock flush, billed per 10 units, representing a medication injection service typically performed as a procedural flush to maintain patency of indwelling intravenous or central venous catheters; the service type is medication injection/flush and the typical site of service is an outpatient clinic, infusion center, hospital, or other setting where IV catheters are managed.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Epithelial Cell Cytology in Breast Cancer Risk Assessment, Chemotherapy Observation or Inpatient Hospitalization (for New Mexico Only), Antibody-Drug Conjugates.

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A common scenario for J1642 (heparin sodium, heparin lock flush, per 10 units) is an outpatient infusion center or hospital nursing unit where a patient with an indwelling peripheral intravenous (IV) catheter or central venous access device requires routine line patency maintenance. For example, a 68-year-old patient receiving intermittent IV antibiotics through a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) after treatment for cellulitis presents to the infusion clinic for a scheduled dose. After medication administration, the nurse performs a heparin lock flush of the PICC using J1642 increments to maintain catheter patency per facility protocol. Typical workflow: confirm order and indication, verify access device type, prepare heparin flush in appropriate concentration/units, clamp and flush catheter following aseptic technique, document units administered, and reconcile with medication administration record and billing. Typical site of service includes outpatient infusion centers, hospital inpatient wards, emergency departments, and skilled nursing facilities. The procedure is commonly performed by registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and vascular access teams.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    36415Collection of venous blood by venipuncturePerformed before or after IV therapy when blood draws are required via peripheral access; may use same access site as heparin-flushed catheter
    36561Replacement, complete, central venous catheter, without subcutaneous portRelated device placement that would necessitate subsequent catheter maintenance with heparin flushes
    96365Intravenous infusion, for therapy, prophylaxis, or diagnosis; initial, up to 1 hourMedication administration events after which a heparin flush (J1642) may be used to maintain line patency
    36410Venipuncture, catheterization of vein for diagnostic or therapeutic purposesEstablishing access that will subsequently require flush maintenance
    99199Unlisted special service, procedure or reportRarely used for novel or unlisted vascular access procedures associated with flush management

    Related Modifiers

    6 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    59Modifier 59 indicates a distinct procedural service when two procedures that are not normally billed together are clinically and procedurally separate. The CPT definition (as reiterated by CMS)…- Use modifier -59 to report a distinct procedural service when documentation supports that the procedure reported is not normally billed together with another service on the same day because of a…
    76Modifier -76, Repeat Procedure or Service by Same Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional, is appended when the same provider performs an identical, medically necessary procedure or…- Use modifier -76 when the same physician or other qualified health care professional performs an identical procedure or service a second (or subsequent) time on the same date of service and the…
    78CPT modifier -78 indicates an unplanned, related return to the operating or procedure room by the same provider during the global postoperative period. It is appended when treatment for a…- Use modifier -78 when an unplanned, related complication during the original procedure’s global postoperative period requires the patient to return to a formal operating or procedure room and the…
    25CPT modifier 25 indicates that on the same day as another procedure or service, the same physician or other qualified health care professional provided a significant, separately identifiable…- When to apply: Use modifier 25 only on an E/M code to indicate the same provider delivered a significant, separately identifiable E/M service on the same day as another procedure or service — i.e.,…
    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…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy CodeSpecialtyNotes
    364S00000XClinical Nurse SpecialistA registered nurse who, through a graduate degree program in nursing, or through a formal post-basic education program or continuing education courses…
    333600000XPharmacyA facility used by pharmacists for the compounding and dispensing of medicinal preparations and other associated professional and administrative servi…
    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…
    207RC0000XCardiovascular Disease PhysicianAn internist who specializes in diseases of the heart and blood vessels and manages complex cardiac conditions such as heart attacks and life-threaten…
    246RH0600XHistology TechnicianTechnologists, Technicians & Other Technical Service Providers · Technician, Pathology
    251C00000XDevelopmentally Disabled Services Day Training AgencyThese agencies are authorized to provide day habilitation services to developmentally disabled individuals who live in their homes. The function of d…
    207RC0200XCritical Care Medicine (Internal Medicine) PhysicianAn internist who diagnoses, treats and supports patients with multiple organ dysfunction. This specialist may have administrative responsibilities for…
    2080T0002XPediatric Medical Toxicology PhysicianMedical toxicologists are physicians that specialize in the prevention, evaluation, treatment and monitoring of injury and illness from exposures to d…

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Hematology/Oncology1 / 3

    4 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Epithelial Cell Cytology in Breast Cancer Risk AssessmentOscar Health2026-10-01
    Chemotherapy Observation or Inpatient Hospitalization (for New Mexico Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-08-01
    Antibody-Drug ConjugatesPremera Bluecross2026-08-01
    Umbilical Cord Blood Harvesting and Storage for Future Use (for Indiana Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-08-01

    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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