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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesDrugs Administered Other than Oral MethodHCPCS hcpcs-j7131-hypertonic-saline-1ml-injectable
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    HCPCS Level II J7131: Hypertonic Saline Solution, 1 ml

    HCPCS Level II code J7131 represents a hypertonic saline solution, 1 ml, supplied as an injectable/instillable medication; the service is medication administration or supply of the sterile hypertonic saline product and is typically provided in outpatient infusion centers, hospital inpatient settings, emergency departments, or clinic procedure areas where small-volume hypertonic saline is used for irrigation, instillation, or intravenous administration as clinically indicated.

    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 typical patient receiving J7131 is an adult or pediatric patient with respiratory distress or thickened airway secretions requiring nebulized hypertonic saline for airway clearance. Common scenarios include patients with cystic fibrosis exacerbations, bronchiolitis, chronic bronchiectasis, or retained secretions after anesthesia. The service is administered in an acute care setting such as an emergency department, inpatient hospital ward, or pediatric/respiratory clinic with nebulization capability. Typical workflow: intake assessment by nursing or respiratory therapist, verification of orders and allergies by the clinician, preparation of the 1 ml hypertonic saline vial, delivery via nebulizer or inline ventilator circuit, monitoring for bronchospasm or desaturation during and after treatment, documentation of medication lot number and administration details, and billing using J7131 for the hypertonic saline supply plus any applicable administration CPT codes or respiratory therapy charges.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    94640Pressurized or non-pressurized inhalation treatment for acute airway obstruction or for sputum induction for diagnostic purposesCommonly used for billing the administration of nebulized hypertonic saline when performed as a respiratory therapy treatment.
    94664Demonstration and/or evaluation of patient utilization of an aerosol generator, nebulizer, metered dose inhaler or IPPB deviceUsed when patient education or technique evaluation accompanies the nebulized treatment.
    94620Pulmonary stress testing; spirometry, including graphic record, total and timed vital capacity, expiratory flow rate measurement(s), with or without maximal voluntary ventilationMay be performed before/after therapy in clinic settings to assess response when indicated.
    99070Supplies and materials (except spectacles), used by the physician/other qualified health care professional during the visit, provided by the officeUsed to bill non-drug supplies associated with administration when allowed by payer policies.
    G0296Direct skilled respiratory therapy services, in the home, including assessment and training for device use and maintenanceRelevant when hypertonic saline is part of home respiratory therapy programs and billed under respiratory therapy service codes.

    Related Modifiers

    6 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…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy CodeSpecialtyNotes
    207K00000XAllergy & Immunology PhysicianAn allergist-immunologist is trained in evaluation, physical and laboratory diagnosis, and management of disorders involving the immune system. Select…
    208D00000XGeneral Practice PhysicianA physician who specializes in the general practice of diagnosing, treating, and managing patients with a variety of illnesses and conditions.
    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…
    364SP1700XPerinatal Clinical Nurse SpecialistPhysician Assistants & Advanced Practice Nursing Providers · Clinical Nurse Specialist
    103TW0100XDeactivated - Psychotherapy Women
    101YM0800XMental Health CounselorBehavioral Health & Social Service Providers · Counselor
    207ZP0104XChemical Pathology PhysicianA chemical pathologist has expertise in the biochemistry of the human body as it applies to the understanding of the cause and progress of disease. Th…
    332U00000XHome Delivered MealsHome-delivered meals are those services or activities designed to prepare and deliver one or more meals a day to an individual's residence in order to…

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    23 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    A48.1Legionnaires' disease
    B95.3Streptococcus pneumoniae as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere
    E86.0Dehydration
    E86.1Hypovolemia
    I26.99Other pulmonary embolism without acute cor pulmonale
    I50.9Heart failure, unspecified
    J18.9Pneumonia, unspecified organism
    J44.9Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, unspecified
    J45.909Unspecified asthma, uncomplicated
    J69.0Pneumonitis due to inhalation of food and vomit

    Showing 1–10 of 23

    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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