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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesDrugs Administered Other than Oral MethodHCPCS hcpcs-j1700-hydrocortisone-acetate-injection-up-to-25-mg
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    HCPCS Level II J1700: Hydrocortisone Acetate Injection, up to 25 mg

    HCPCS Level II code J1700 describes an injection of hydrocortisone acetate, up to 25 mg, used for administration of corticosteroid medication; the service is an intramuscular or intra-articular corticosteroid injection typically provided in outpatient clinic, physician office, or ambulatory care settings for anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive indications.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Epithelial Cell Cytology in Breast Cancer Risk Assessment, B-Hemolytic Streptococcus Testing, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) — Coverage Criteria for Testing and Resistance Assays.

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 58-year-old patient with a localized inflammatory skin nodule presents to an outpatient dermatology clinic for corticosteroid injection. The clinician diagnoses a small, symptomatic subcutaneous inflammatory lesion or keloid scar causing pain and restricted movement. After obtaining informed consent, the clinician prepares a syringe with hydrocortisone acetate up to 25 mg (J1700). The procedure is performed in a procedure room or clinic exam room: the skin is cleansed, local anesthesia is applied if needed, and the corticosteroid is injected directly into the lesion using aseptic technique. The patient is observed briefly for immediate adverse reaction, given post-care instructions, and scheduled for follow-up to assess response and need for repeat injection. Typical site of service is an outpatient clinic, dermatology office, wound care center, or ambulatory surgery center for simple injections; inpatient administration is uncommon for this formulation and dose range.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    20610Arthrocentesis, aspiration and/or injection; major joint or bursa (e.g., shoulder, hip, knee)Used when hydrocortisone acetate is injected into a major joint as therapeutic injection; provides procedural service code for joint injection while J1700 reports the drug supply
    11900Injection, therapeutic, diagnostic, or prophylactic; not otherwise specifiedUsed for soft-tissue or intralesional injections where a specific anatomic injection code is not applicable; pairs with J1700 to report the drug administered
    20550Injection(s); single tendon sheath, or ligament, aponeurosis (e.g., plantar "fascia")Used for targeted tendon sheath injections; J1700 reports the drug portion when hydrocortisone acetate is used
    20551Injection(s); single tendon sheath, or ligament, aponeurosis; with ultrasound guidanceUsed when image guidance is required for accurate placement and J1700 reports the medication supplied
    99213Office or other outpatient visit for the evaluation and management of an established patient, low to moderate complexityCommon E/M code for the visit when the injection is performed during a routine clinic visit; documents evaluation, decision-making, and procedure planning

    Related Modifiers

    8 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…
    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…
    54Modifier ‑54 (“Surgical care only”) is appended to a CPT surgical procedure when the reporting surgeon performs the intraoperative (surgical) component but does not furnish the preoperative and/or…- Use modifier -54 when the reporting surgeon provided only the intraoperative (surgical) component of a procedure and preoperative and/or postoperative management has been or will be provided by…
    55Modifier –55 indicates the billing provider furnished only postoperative management for a procedure that has a global surgical period. According to AAPC, this modifier is appended to the same CPT…- Use modifier -55 when billing the same CPT surgical code that has a 10- or 90-day global period and you, as a provider other than the original surgeon, furnished ONLY postoperative management (no…
    56Modifier ‑56 indicates the reporting provider furnished only the preoperative management for a surgical procedure and did not perform the intraoperative or postoperative care. It is used in…- Use Modifier -56 when a provider performs only the preoperative management in a split‑care situation (one physician manages preop care while a different physician performs the intraoperative…
    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
    207N00000XDermatology PhysicianA dermatologist is trained to diagnose and treat pediatric and adult patients with benign and malignant disorders of the skin, mouth, external genital…
    207L00000XAnesthesiology PhysicianAn anesthesiologist is trained to provide pain relief and maintenance, or restoration, of a stable condition during and immediately following an opera…
    208000000XPediatrics PhysicianA pediatrician is concerned with the physical, emotional and social health of children from birth to young adulthood. Care encompasses a broad spectru…
    207R00000XInternal Medicine PhysicianA physician who provides long-term, comprehensive care in the office and the hospital, managing both common and complex illness of adolescents, adults…
    207T00000XNeurological Surgery PhysicianA neurological surgeon provides the operative and non-operative management (i.e., prevention, diagnosis, evaluation, treatment, critical care, and reh…
    246QB0000XBlood Banking Specialist/TechnologistTechnologists, Technicians & Other Technical Service Providers · Specialist/Technologist, Pathology
    3336M0003XManaged Care Organization PharmacyA pharmacy owned by a managed care organization (MCO) used by pharmacists for the compounding and dispensing of medicinal preparations to that MCO's c…
    364SG0600XGerontology Clinical Nurse SpecialistPhysician Assistants & Advanced Practice Nursing Providers · Clinical Nurse Specialist

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Hematology/Oncology1 / 3

    1 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Epithelial Cell Cytology in Breast Cancer Risk AssessmentOscar Health2026-10-01

    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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