HCPCS J7308: Aminolevulinic Acid HCl 20% Topical, 354 mg
HCPCS Level II code J7308 denotes aminolevulinic acid HCl 20% topical, single-unit formulation (354 mg), used as the photosensitizing agent in photodynamic therapy for cutaneous lesions. This code identifies the drug product component of topical photodynamic treatment and matters nationally because accurate coding drives appropriate billing for dermatologic procedures that pair the medication with light-based treatment. Proper use of J7308 affects reimbursement, claims processing, and clinical documentation across outpatient dermatology settings.
Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, United Healthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise review of the clinical context for topical aminolevulinic acid, how the HCPCS Level II code is applied in practice, and the common sites of service for administration. The publication outlines typical linked services — for example, photodynamic therapy procedures — and identifies relevant diagnosis categories for use with the code.
The report provides benchmark and policy-oriented content useful for coding and billing teams, compliance officers, and dermatology providers: national coverage considerations, coding alignment with related procedural services, and practical notes on unitization and documentation expectations. Data not available in the input will be identified explicitly where applicable.
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Billing Code Overview
HCPCS Level II code J7308 represents aminolevulinic acid HCl for topical administration, 20%, single unit dosage form (354 mg). The product is a topical photosensitizing agent used for dermatologic indications requiring localized photodynamic therapy.
Service Type: Topical medication for photodynamic therapy
Typical Site of Service: Outpatient dermatology clinics or physician offices where topical photodynamic treatments are administered
National Reimbursement Benchmarks
Commercial reimbursement for J7308 centers around a BUCA average commercial rate of $385.30, with individual payer means ranging above and below that benchmark. Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) and Cigna show means near the BUCA level ($385.60 and $404.70 respectively), while UnitedHealth Group posts a higher mean at $437.00 and Aetna is notably lower at $313.40. This positions BUCA as a useful midpoint for commercial expectations, with UnitedHealth Group skewing higher and Aetna skewing lower in national commercial pricing.
Dispersion measured by the interquartile gap (P75 minus P25) highlights variation across payers: Aetna’s IQR is $205.60, BCBS’s IQR is $37.00, BUCA’s IQR is $56.20, Cigna’s IQR is $9.00, and UnitedHealth Group’s IQR is $30.50. Cigna exhibits the tightest spread ($9.00), indicating concentrated commercial rates, while Aetna shows the widest spread ($205.60), indicating substantial variability in contracted rates.