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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesDrugs Administered Other than Oral MethodHCPCS hcpcs-j3480-potassium-chloride-injection-2meq
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    HCPCS Level II J3480: Injection, Potassium Chloride, per 2 mEq

    HCPCS Level II code J3480 describes an injection of potassium chloride, billed per 2 mEq unit, typically used for intravenous electrolyte repletion or correction; the service is a drug administration event usually performed in inpatient hospital, outpatient infusion center, emergency department, or ambulatory clinic settings depending on clinical need.

    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), Umbilical Cord Blood Harvesting and Storage for Future Use (for Indiana Only).

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A typical patient is an adult hospitalized for moderate to severe hypokalemia (for example, serum potassium 2.8 mEq/L) associated with diuretic use, gastrointestinal losses, or poor oral intake. The inpatient team (hospitalist, internal medicine or nephrology) orders intravenous potassium replacement. Pharmacy dispenses potassium chloride concentrated solution in vials or premixed bags and nursing administers the medication via peripheral or central IV line per facility protocol, cardiac monitoring, and rate limits. The service reported with J3480 reflects the quantity of potassium chloride dispensed and billed per 2 mEq increment, documented in the medication administration record, physician progress note, and pharmacy charge documentation. Typical sites of service include inpatient hospital ward, intensive care unit, emergency department observation, and inpatient infusion centers when IV replacement is required.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    96365Intravenous infusion, initial, up to 1 hourUsed when IV potassium is administered as part of an infusion starting session (initial hour of therapeutic infusion).
    96366Intravenous infusion, each additional hourUsed for continued infusion time beyond the initial hour when potassium is given via extended infusion.
    36415Collection of venous blood by venipunctureCommonly performed before or after potassium administration to obtain serum potassium levels for monitoring.
    93000Electrocardiogram, routine ECG with interpretation and reportPerformed to assess cardiac effects of hypokalemia and monitor during IV replacement when indicated.
    99221Initial hospital care, typically 30-60 minutesRepresents inpatient evaluation services commonly associated with admission for electrolyte disturbances.

    Related Modifiers

    8 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…
    77Modifier 77 indicates that a previously performed procedure or service was legitimately repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional. The AMA’s CPT definition…- Use modifier 77 when a basic procedure or service already performed is repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional (for example, a second provider independently…
    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…
    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…
    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.,…
    91Modifier 91 — “Repeat Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory Test” — is appended when the exact same CPT laboratory test is performed more than once for the same patient on the same day because serial,…- Use modifier 91 when the exact same CPT laboratory test is performed more than once on the same patient on the same date because serial or repeated testing is medically necessary to monitor…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy CodeSpecialtyNotes
    208000000XPediatrics PhysicianA pediatrician is concerned with the physical, emotional and social health of children from birth to young adulthood. Care encompasses a broad spectru…
    208800000XUrology PhysicianA urologist manages benign and malignant medical and surgical disorders of the genitourinary system and the adrenal gland. This specialist has compreh…
    207L00000XAnesthesiology PhysicianAn anesthesiologist is trained to provide pain relief and maintenance, or restoration, of a stable condition during and immediately following an opera…
    363LA2200XAdult Health Nurse PractitionerPhysician Assistants & Advanced Practice Nursing Providers · Nurse Practitioner
    253Z00000XIn Home Supportive Care AgencyAn In Home Supportive Care Agency provides services in the patient's home with the goal of enabling the patient to remain at home. The services provi…
    226300000XKinesiotherapistA provider trained and educated in the applied science of medically prescribed therapeutic exercise, education and adapted physical activities designe…
    207ZP0213XPediatric Pathology PhysicianA pediatric pathologist is expert in the laboratory diagnosis of diseases that occur during fetal growth, infancy and child development. The practice …
    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…

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Hematology/Oncology1 / 3

    10 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
    Umbilical Cord Blood Harvesting and Storage for Future Use (for Indiana Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-08-01
    Antibody-Drug ConjugatesPremera Bluecross2026-08-01
    Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-Cell TherapyColorado Rocky Mountain Health Plans2026-08-01
    Allogeneic Hematopoietic Progenitor Cell TherapyAmbetter Georgia2026-08-01
    Umbilical Cord Blood Harvesting and Storage for Future Use (for Idaho Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-08-01
    Umbilical Cord Blood Harvesting and Storage for Future Use (for New Jersey Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-08-01
    Umbilical Cord Blood Harvesting and Storage for Future Use (for Ohio Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-08-01
    Reblozyl (luspatercept-aamt) Medical Benefit Drug PolicyUnitedHealthcare2026-08-01

    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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