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    OpenPayerBilling CodesTemporary CodesHCPCS hcpcs-q0521-pharmacy-supply-hiv-pre-exposure-prophylaxis
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    HCPCS Q0521: Pharmacy Supplying Fee for HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis

    HCPCS Level II code Q0521 represents a pharmacy supplying fee for FDA-approved HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) prescriptions, covering the service of dispensing and supplying PrEP medication and related pharmacy services; service type: pharmacy dispensing/supply; typical site of service: outpatient pharmacy or clinic-based pharmacy dispensing for PrEP therapy.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: B-Hemolytic Streptococcus Testing, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) — Coverage Criteria for Testing and Resistance Assays, Hepatitis Testing (A, B, C, D) Coverage Criteria.

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    Table of contents

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    • Billing CodesCPT, HCPCS, DRG & more
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    • PayersPlans & market footprint
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    • ModifiersCPT modifiers & usage
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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 28-year-old sexually active man who has sex with men presents to a community health clinic requesting HIV prevention services. After a risk assessment and documented negative HIV test, a clinician prescribes FDA‑approved HIV pre‑exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). The clinic’s pharmacy prepares the prescription and records the pharmacy supplying fee associated with dispensing the PrEP medication, billed under Q0521. The clinical workflow includes: initial visit with sexual history and baseline laboratory testing (HIV antigen/antibody, creatinine, hepatitis B serology), counseling on adherence and risk reduction, electronic prescription sent to the dispensing pharmacy, pharmacist verification and counseling at pick up, and documentation of the dispensing event. The pharmacy documents quantity dispensed, days’ supply, and counseling provided, then submits the Q0521 supply fee to the patient’s payor alongside the drug NDC/HCPCS when applicable. Follow‑up visits for HIV testing and renal monitoring occur every 3 months per standard protocols.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    99401Preventive medicine counseling and/or risk factor reduction intervention(s) provided to an individual; approximately 15 minutesUsed for brief PrEP adherence and risk‑reduction counseling during initial visit.
    99402Preventive medicine counseling; approximately 30 minutesUsed for more intensive counseling at initiation of PrEP.
    36415Collection of venous blood by venipunctureUsed to obtain baseline and monitoring labs (HIV, creatinine, hepatitis B) associated with PrEP initiation and follow‑up.
    87880Infectious agent antigen detection by immunoassay technique, single step method; HIV-1 antigen/antibody (rapid)Used for point‑of‑care HIV testing prior to dispensing PrEP.
    80053Comprehensive metabolic panelUsed to assess renal function (creatinine) prior to and during PrEP therapy.
    99070Supplies and materials (e.g., drugs, vaccines, supplies) used by the physician not usually included with the serviceMay be used by clinics to bill non‑pharmacy supplies related to PrEP visits; pharmacy dispensing fee Q0521 is billed by the pharmacy separately.

    Related Modifiers

    8 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…
    54Modifier ‑54 (“Surgical care only”) is appended to a CPT surgical procedure when the reporting surgeon performs the intraoperative (surgical) component but does not furnish the preoperative and/or…- Use modifier -54 when the reporting surgeon provided only the intraoperative (surgical) component of a procedure and preoperative and/or postoperative management has been or will be provided by…
    55Modifier –55 indicates the billing provider furnished only postoperative management for a procedure that has a global surgical period. According to AAPC, this modifier is appended to the same CPT…- Use modifier -55 when billing the same CPT surgical code that has a 10- or 90-day global period and you, as a provider other than the original surgeon, furnished ONLY postoperative management (no…
    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…
    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…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy CodeSpecialtyNotes
    207Q00000XFamily Medicine PhysicianFamily Medicine is the medical specialty which is concerned with the total health care of the individual and the family. It is the specialty in breadt…
    208000000XPediatrics PhysicianA pediatrician is concerned with the physical, emotional and social health of children from birth to young adulthood. Care encompasses a broad spectru…
    363LF0000XFamily Nurse PractitionerPhysician Assistants & Advanced Practice Nursing Providers · Nurse Practitioner
    125K00000XAdvanced Practice Dental TherapistAn Advanced Practice Dental Therapist is:<br/>(1) A dental therapist who has completed additional training beyond basic dental therapy education and p…
    261QC0050XCritical Access Hospital Clinic/CenterAn outpatient entity, facility, or distinct part of a facility within or affiliated with a Critical Access Hospital that provides access to primary ca…
    164W00000XLicensed Practical NurseAn individual with post-high school vocational training and practical experience in the provision of nursing care at a level less than that required f…
    207WX0009XGlaucoma Specialist (Ophthalmology) PhysicianAn ophthalmologist who specializes in the treatment of glaucoma and other disorders related to increased intraocular pressure and optic nerve damage. …
    246ZX2200XOrthopedic AssistantAn Orthopaedic Assistant is a person who has been trained to work as a physician extender in both clinical and surgical environments. An Orthopaedic A…

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    25 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    F10.20Alcohol dependence, uncomplicated
    F11.10Opioid abuse, uncomplicated
    F17.200Nicotine dependence, unspecified, uncomplicated
    R68.89Other general symptoms and signs
    Z00.00Encounter for general adult medical examination without abnormal findings
    Z00.01Encounter for general adult medical examination with abnormal findings
    Z00.129Encounter for routine child health examination without abnormal findings
    Z11.4Encounter for screening for human immunodeficiency virus [HIV]
    Z20.6Contact with and (suspected) exposure to human immunodeficiency virus [HIV]
    Z21Asymptomatic human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] infection status

    Showing 1–10 of 25

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Infectious Disease1 / 3

    9 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    B-Hemolytic Streptococcus TestingOscar Health2026-10-01
    Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) — Coverage Criteria for Testing and Resistance AssaysOscar Health2026-10-01
    Hepatitis Testing (A, B, C, D) Coverage CriteriaOscar Health2026-10-01
    Lyme Disease Testing Coverage CriteriaOscar Health2026-10-01
    Pathogen Panel TestingOscar Health2026-10-01
    Diagnostic Testing of Common Sexually Transmitted InfectionsOscar Health2026-10-01
    Testing for Vector-Borne InfectionsOscar Health2026-10-01
    Coronavirus Testing in the Outpatient SettingOscar Health2026-10-01
    Testing for Diagnosis of Active or Latent TuberculosisOscar Health2026-10-01

    Related Codes

    HCPCS-LEVEL-II-Q4139-INJECTABLE-AMNIOMATRIX-BIODMATRIX-1-CC

    HCPCS Q4139: Amniomatrix or Biodmatrix, Injectable, 1 cc

    HCPCS-LEVEL-II-Q4256-AREA-BASED-PROCEDURAL-ADD-ON-PER-SQ-CM

    HCPCS Q4256: MLG-complete Skin Graft Material, Per Sq Cm

    HCPCS-LEVEL-II-Q5132-ADALIMUMAB-AFZB-ABRILADA-10MG-INJECTION

    HCPCS Level II Q5132: Injection, adalimumab-afzb (Abrilada), 10 mg

    HCPCS-Q0035-CARDIOKYMOGRAPHY-CARDIAC-MOTION-RECORDING

    HCPCS Level II Q0035: Cardiokymography

    HCPCS-Q0081-INFUSION-THERAPY-NON-CHEMOTHERAPEUTIC-PER-VISIT

    HCPCS Level II Q0081: Infusion Therapy, Non‑Chemotherapeutic, Per Visit

    HCPCS-Q0083-CHEMOTHERAPY-NON-INFUSION-ADMINISTRATION

    HCPCS Q0083: Chemotherapy Administration, Non-Infusion Methods

    HCPCS-Q0084-CHEMOTHERAPY-INFUSION-ADMINISTRATION-PER-VISIT

    HCPCS Q0084: Chemotherapy Infusion Administration, Per Visit

    HCPCS-Q0085-CHEMOTHERAPY-INFUSION-PLUS-OTHER-TECHNIQUES-PER-VISIT

    HCPCS Q0085: Chemotherapy Infusion Plus Other Technique(s), Per Visit

    HCPCS-Q0091-PAP-SMEAR-SPECIMEN-COLLECTION-TRANSPORT

    HCPCS Q0091: Screening Papanicolaou Smear Collection and Transport

    HCPCS-Q0092-PORTABLE-XRAY-EQUIPMENT-SETUP

    HCPCS Q0092: Set-up Portable X-ray Equipment

    Showing 1–10 of 629

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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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