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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesChemotherapy DrugsHCPCS hcpcs-j9248-melphalan-injection-1mg
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    HCPCS Level II J9248: Injection, melphalan (hepzato), 1 mg

    HCPCS Level II code J9248 describes an injectable chemotherapy agent, melphalan (hepzato), billed per 1 mg unit; this code represents administration of the drug product itself for oncologic treatment and is typically used when melphalan is supplied as an injectable formulation for infusion or intralesional use in ambulatory infusion centers or hospital outpatient departments.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: T-Cell Lymphoma Agents: Beleodaq, Istodax, Lymphir, Poteligeo, and Romidepsin, Tumor Treatment Fields - Medical Policy, Extracorporeal Photopheresis.

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A patient with multiple myeloma or another plasma cell dyscrasia is scheduled to receive systemic chemotherapy with melphalan for disease control or as part of a conditioning regimen prior to autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The drug in this billing descriptor, J9248 (injection, melphalan, 1 mg), is administered intravenously in a controlled oncology setting. Typical workflow: the oncology clinic or inpatient hematology unit performs a pre-treatment evaluation including recent labs (CBC with differential, renal and hepatic panels), medication reconciliation, and consent. Pharmacy compounds the appropriate melphalan dose based on body surface area or transplant protocol; the dose is prepared under sterile conditions and labeled. A registered nurse or infusion pharmacist verifies patient identity, checks premade orders, and establishes IV access. For outpatient infusions, the patient is monitored in the infusion center for vital signs, infusion tolerance, and acute adverse reactions; for conditioning regimens, administration occurs in an inpatient bone marrow transplant or oncology unit with extended monitoring. Documentation includes indication, dose (mg and number of J9248 units billed), route (IV), lot number, expiration, and any applicable modifier (for example, JW when discarding remainder). Billing uses J9248 units corresponding to the total milligrams administered, and relevant CPT codes are used for infusion encounter services, vascular access procedures, and supportive care as applicable.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    96365Intravenous infusion, for therapy, prophylaxis, or diagnosis; initial, up to 1 hourUsed when melphalan is delivered as an infusion requiring initial infusion time documentation for billing the infusion encounter
    96413Chemotherapy administration, intravenous infusion, each additional hour (list separately in addition to code for primary infusion)Billed when the melphalan infusion extends beyond the initial hour and additional infusion time is documented
    36561Insertion of tunneled centrally inserted central venous catheter, without subcutaneous port or pumpPerformed when long-term central access is required for repeated melphalan administration or conditioning regimens
    36568Insertion of peripherally inserted central venous catheter (PICC)Used when a PICC is placed for chemotherapy administration in the outpatient setting
    36415Collection of venous blood by venipunctureCommonly performed for pre-infusion laboratory tests such as CBC and chemistries prior to melphalan dosing

    Related Modifiers

    7 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    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…
    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…
    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…
    56Modifier ‑56 indicates the reporting provider furnished only the preoperative management for a surgical procedure and did not perform the intraoperative or postoperative care. It is used in…- Use Modifier -56 when a provider performs only the preoperative management in a split‑care situation (one physician manages preop care while a different physician performs the intraoperative…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    208000000X
    207RC0000X
    163W00000X
    207VX0000X
    207VF0040X
    2084P0805X
    133V00000X
    1223G0001X

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Hematology/Oncology1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    T-Cell Lymphoma Agents: Beleodaq, Istodax, Lymphir, Poteligeo, and RomidepsinMass General Brigham Health Plan2027-01-04
    Tumor Treatment Fields - Medical PolicyHealth-New-England2026-12-01
    Extracorporeal PhotopheresisCigna2026-11-15
    Electric Tumor Treatment Field Therapy (for Tennessee Only)Colorado Rocky Mountain Health Plans2026-11-01
    Tumor Treating Fields Therapypremerabluecrossofwashington2026-11-01
    Tumor Treating Fields Therapypremerabluecrossofwashington2026-11-01
    OmisirgeCigna2026-11-01
    Hematology - AdzynmaCigna2026-10-15
    Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization for Liver Tumorspremerabluecrossofwashington2026-10-01
    Cryoablation of Tumors Located in the Kidney, Lung, Breast, Pancreas, or Bonepremerabluecrossofwashington2026-10-01

    Related Codes

    HCPCS-J9000-DOXORUBICIN-10MG-INJECTION

    HCPCS J9000: Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Injection, 10 mg

    HCPCS-J9003-LEUPROLIDE-INJECTABLE-CAMCEVI-1MG

    HCPCS Level II J9003: Leuprolide injectable (camcevi etm), 1 mg

    HCPCS-J9010-ALEMTUZUMAB-INJECTION-10MG

    HCPCS Level II J9010: Injection, alemtuzumab, 10 mg

    HCPCS-J9011-DATOPOTAMAB-DERUXTECAN-INJECTION-1MG

    HCPCS J9011: Datopotamab Deruxtecan Injection, 1 mg

    HCPCS-J9015-ALDESLEUKIN-INJECTION-SINGLE-USE-VIAL

    HCPCS Level II J9015: Aldesleukin Injection, Single-Use Vial

    HCPCS-J9017-ARSENIC-TRIOXIDE-INJECTION-1MG

    HCPCS J9017: Arsenic Trioxide Injection, 1 mg

    HCPCS-J9019-ASPARAGINASE-ERWINAZE-INJECTION-1000-IU

    HCPCS Level II J9019: Asparaginase (Erwinaze) Injection, 1,000 IU

    HCPCS-J9020-ASPARAGINASE-INJECTION-10000-UNITS

    HCPCS J9020: Asparaginase Injection, 10,000 Units

    HCPCS-J9021-ASPARAGINASE-RYLAZE-INJECTION-0-1-MG

    HCPCS Level II J9021: Injection, asparaginase (Rylaze), 0.1 mg

    HCPCS-J9022-ATEZOLIZUMAB-INJECTION-10MG

    HCPCS J9022: Injection, atezolizumab 10 mg

    Showing 1–10 of 227

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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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