Summary & Overview
HCPCS Level II J9318: Romidepsin Injection, Non-Lyophilized, 0.1 mg
HCPCS Level II code J9318 denotes the injectable, non-lyophilized form of romidepsin in a 0.1 mg unit. As a coded drug billing line item, J9318 is used to report supply of this oncology agent for infusion-based cancer treatment. Accurate coding for single-unit injectable oncology drugs is essential for clinical documentation, payer adjudication, and national expenditure tracking.
Key payers discussed in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. The publication provides national-level context for how J9318 is applied across payers and care settings rather than state-specific policy detail.
Readers will find benchmarks for utilization and reimbursement practices, explanations of clinical context for romidepsin use, and notes on coding practices relevant to injectable oncology agents. The content covers typical sites of service where J9318 is billed, common billing considerations, and where to look for payer-specific guidance. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.
Billing Code Overview
HCPCS Level II code J9318 represents the injection formulation of romidepsin, non-lyophilized, in a 0.1 mg unit. This entry-level descriptor indicates a parenteral oncology therapeutic provided as an injectable drug product.
Service type: Drug administration (injectable chemotherapy/anticancer agent)
Typical site of service: Hospital outpatient departments, physician office infusion suites, and specialty infusion centers
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient is an adult with a peripheral T‑cell lymphoma or cutaneous T‑cell lymphoma who requires systemic oncology therapy with romidepsin. The patient presents to an outpatient infusion center or hospital outpatient oncology clinic for administration. Prior to infusion, an oncology clinician confirms diagnosis, reviews current medications and baseline labs (complete blood count, comprehensive metabolic panel, magnesium, and potassium), verifies ECG for QTc interval, and obtains consent. A chemotherapy-qualified registered nurse prepares the non-lyophilized romidepsin vial, performs line checks, and administers the drug intravenously over the recommended infusion time per institutional protocol. The visit includes medication administration, infusion pump setup, vital signs monitoring, management of infusion‑related reactions, and documentation of dose, lot number, and any wasted drug. Billing uses HCPCS Level II code J9318 to report each 0.1 mg unit administered. Typical site of service is an outpatient infusion center or hospital outpatient department; inpatient administration is less common but may occur for patients requiring closer monitoring. Common payors for coverage determinations include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, BUCA, and Medicare.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
00 | No modifier (default) | When no special circumstances apply and the service is billed normally. |