Summary & Overview
HCPCS J2274: Morphine Sulfate Injection, Preservative-Free, Epidural/Intrathecal 10 mg
HCPCS Level II code J2274 denotes a preservative-free morphine sulfate injection, 10 mg, specifically formulated for epidural or intrathecal administration. This code identifies a specialized neuraxial analgesic product used in acute and chronic pain management during surgical, procedural, or inpatient care. Nationally, correct reporting of J2274 matters for accurate claims adjudication, inventory control of preservative-free neuraxial opioids, and monitoring utilization of products designated for epidural or intrathecal use.
Key payers addressed in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of clinical context and typical settings for use, common modifiers and billing considerations, and where available, payer coverage patterns and coding nuances. The publication also outlines benchmarks for billing practice, potential policy updates affecting neuraxial opioid products, and operational implications for facilities that stock and administer preservative-free morphine for epidural or intrathecal routes.
Data not available in the input is explicitly noted where applicable.
Billing Code Overview
HCPCS Level II code J2274 represents an injection of morphine sulfate, preservative-free, formulated for epidural or intrathecal use, 10 mg. This service is a pharmacologic analgesic administration intended for targeted neuraxial pain control.
Service type: Drug administration (neuraxial analgesia)
Typical site of service: Hospital inpatient, hospital outpatient, ambulatory surgery center, or other procedural settings where epidural or intrathecal injections are performed
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 56-year-old patient with chronic low back pain and radicular leg pain presents to an outpatient pain clinic for an epidural steroid injection procedure. The anesthesiology team prepares preservative-free morphine sulfate, J2274 (10 mg) for intrathecal or epidural administration as part of intra-procedural analgesia or for long-acting neuraxial opioid analgesia during and after a spinal procedure. The workflow includes pre-procedure assessment (history, coagulation status, informed consent), sterile preparation and verification of J2274 preservative-free morphine sulfate, image-guided epidural or intrathecal needle placement, administration of the drug via the intrathecal or epidural space, post-procedure monitoring in a recovery area for respiratory depression and sedation, and documentation of dosage, route, lot number, and patient response. Typical sites of service are hospital outpatient departments, ambulatory surgical centers, and specialized pain management clinics. The typical patient scenario includes documentation of indication (e.g., neuraxial analgesia for refractory radicular pain), medication reconciliation, and monitoring consistent with neuraxial opioid administration guidelines.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
23 | Unusual Anesthesia |