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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesDrugs Administered Other than Oral MethodHCPCS hcpcs-j1738-meloxicam-injection-1mg
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    HCPCS Level II J1738: Injection, Meloxicam, 1 mg

    HCPCS Level II code J1738 describes a drug administration entry for injection, meloxicam, 1 mg typically billed when a 1 mg unit of meloxicam is provided for parenteral use; service type is drug administration/injectable medication and the typical site of service is outpatient clinic or office-based infusion/injection setting where injectable analgesic or anti-inflammatory therapy is delivered.

    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 68-year-old patient with chronic osteoarthritis of the knee, refractory to oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and topical therapies, presents to an outpatient infusion center for administration of parenteral meloxicam. The service is billed with J1738 (Injection, meloxicam, 1 mg). Typical workflow: the prescribing clinician documents the medical necessity and dosage; pre-procedure screening includes allergy review, platelet function/anticoagulation assessment, and informed consent for injectable therapy. On the day of service, nursing confirms identity, prepares the calculated dose under aseptic technique, and administers the slow intravenous or intramuscular injection per product labeling and facility protocol. Patient is observed briefly for immediate adverse reactions and discharged with written instructions and follow-up arranged with the prescribing clinician. Typical site of service is an outpatient infusion center, physician office with injection capability, or ambulatory surgical center when combined with other procedures. Eligible payors include commercial plans (Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, BUCA) and Medicare, each following their own coverage and billing rules for HCPCS J-codes.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    96360Intravenous infusion, hydration; initial 31 minutes to 1 hourMay be billed when meloxicam is administered as part of a monitored IV infusion requiring time-based infusion services.
    96361Intravenous infusion, hydration; each additional hourUse when extended IV infusion time is medically necessary in conjunction with the injection.
    96372Therapeutic, prophylactic, or diagnostic injection (specify substance or drug); subcutaneous or intramuscularOften used when meloxicam is administered via intramuscular or subcutaneous route in an office setting.
    99213Office or other outpatient visit for the evaluation and management of an established patient, moderate complexityCommon E/M level for follow-up visits where parenteral meloxicam is prescribed or administered.
    96374Therapeutic, prophylactic, or diagnostic injection; concurrent infusionUse when meloxicam administration accompanies another infusion or therapeutic drug administration requiring concurrent services.

    Related Modifiers

    7 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…
    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…
    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…
    80CPT® Modifier 80 (Assistant Surgeon) is appended to a surgical CPT code when a physician (MD or DO) provides full, continuous assistance throughout the operative procedure. It is intended only for…- Use CPT Modifier -80 when a physician (MD or DO) serves as an assistant surgeon and provides full, continuous assistance throughout the entire operative procedure; append -80 to the surgical CPT…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy CodeSpecialtyNotes
    207P00000XEmergency Medicine PhysicianAn emergency physician focuses on the immediate decision making and action necessary to prevent death or any further disability both in the pre-hospit…
    207L00000XAnesthesiology PhysicianAn anesthesiologist is trained to provide pain relief and maintenance, or restoration, of a stable condition during and immediately following an opera…
    231H00000XAudiologist(1) A specialist in evaluation, habilitation and rehabilitation of those whose communication disorders center in whole or in part in hearing function.…
    363A00000XPhysician AssistantA physician assistant is a person who has successfully completed an accredited education program for physician assistant, is licensed by the state and…
    225A00000XMusic TherapistMusic therapists use music interventions to assess clients' strengths and needs, develop goals, implement services, and evaluate and document progress…
    2085R0204XVascular & Interventional Radiology PhysicianA radiologist who diagnoses and treats diseases by various radiologic imaging modalities. These include fluoroscopy, digital radiography, computed tom…
    156FX1100XOphthalmic Technician/TechnologistAn ophthalmic technician/technologist assists ophthalmologists by performing ophthalmic clinical functions, including administering eye exams, adminis…
    163WN0300XNephrology Registered NurseNursing Service Providers · Registered Nurse

    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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