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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesTemporary CodesHCPCS hcpcs-q9956-octafluoropropane-microspheres-injection-contrast-agent
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    HCPCS Q9956: Injection, Octafluoropropane Microspheres, per mL

    HCPCS Level II code Q9956 describes an injection of octafluoropropane microspheres billed per milliliter, used as an intravascular or intraorgan contrast or microbubble agent for diagnostic imaging procedures; the service is typically an image-enhancement injectable product delivered by a clinician in an outpatient imaging suite, hospital radiology department, or ambulatory surgical center.

    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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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A typical patient scenario involves an adult undergoing diagnostic or interventional ophthalmic or vascular ultrasound procedures in which contrast enhancement is required. A patient with suspected perfusion defects or focal lesions (for example, a patient with reduced retinal perfusion being evaluated for vascular occlusion or a patient undergoing contrast-enhanced echocardiography for endocardial border delineation) presents to an ambulatory imaging center or hospital radiology / cardiology department. The clinician (commonly an ophthalmologist, cardiologist, or radiologist) obtains informed consent, verifies allergies and contraindications, prepares sterile technique as required, and draws the appropriate volume of octafluoropropane microspheres for intravenous injection. The microsphere suspension is administered per institutional protocol, often as a bolus followed by a saline flush, while the imaging team acquires contrast-enhanced ultrasound images. Monitoring for adverse reactions occurs during and after administration. Typical sites of service are outpatient imaging centers, hospital outpatient departments, emergency departments, and inpatient wards when used for diagnostic ultrasound enhancement.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    93306Echocardiography, transthoracic, real-time with image documentation (2D), includes M-mode recording, when performed; completeCommonly performed with contrast to enhance endocardial border visualization during transthoracic echo
    76775Ultrasound, retroperitoneal (eg, abdominal aorta, inferior vena cava), real time with image documentation; completeMay be supplemented with contrast microspheres for improved detection of vascular flow or focal lesions
    76536Ultrasound, soft tissues of head and neck or orbits, real time with image documentation; limited (eg, echography of ocular structures)May be paired with contrast in specialized ocular perfusion studies
    93978Duplex scan of extremity veins or arteries, complete bilateral studyContrast-enhanced ultrasound can be used adjunctively to improve flow assessment in select vascular studies
    76942Ultrasonic guidance for needle placement (eg, biopsy, aspiration, injection), imaging supervision and interpretationOften performed before or during contrast-enhanced targeted interventions to localize lesions

    Related Modifiers

    7 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    26Modifier 26 (Professional Component) identifies and bills only the professional portion of a split service — the physician’s interpretation, report, and medical judgment — when the technical…- Use CPT Modifier -26 when you are billing only the professional component (PC) of a split‑bill eligible service—i.e., you performed the physician interpretation, medical judgment and prepared a…
    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…
    59Modifier 59 indicates a distinct procedural service when two procedures that are not normally billed together are clinically and procedurally separate. The CPT definition (as reiterated by CMS)…- Use modifier -59 to report a distinct procedural service when documentation supports that the procedure reported is not normally billed together with another service on the same day because of a…
    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…
    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…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy CodeSpecialtyNotes
    207RC0000XCardiovascular Disease PhysicianAn internist who specializes in diseases of the heart and blood vessels and manages complex cardiac conditions such as heart attacks and life-threaten…
    207L00000XAnesthesiology PhysicianAn anesthesiologist is trained to provide pain relief and maintenance, or restoration, of a stable condition during and immediately following an opera…
    363A00000XPhysician AssistantA physician assistant is a person who has successfully completed an accredited education program for physician assistant, is licensed by the state and…
    207K00000XAllergy & Immunology PhysicianAn allergist-immunologist is trained in evaluation, physical and laboratory diagnosis, and management of disorders involving the immune system. Select…
    261QA0005XAmbulatory Family Planning FacilityAn abortion/family planning facility where services are provided at a fixed specific location. An Ambulatory Family Planning Facility does not provid…
    163WD0400XDiabetes Educator Registered NurseNursing Service Providers · Registered Nurse
    261QX0203XRadiation Oncology Clinic/CenterAmbulatory Health Care Facilities · Clinic/Center
    2083T0002XMedical Toxicology (Preventive Medicine) PhysicianMedical toxicologists are physicians who specialize in the prevention, evaluation, treatment and monitoring of injury and illness from exposures to dr…

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    15 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    H26.9Unspecified cataract
    H31.103Choroidal degeneration, unspecified, bilateral
    H33.003Unspecified retinal detachment with retinal break, bilateral
    H33.013Retinal detachment with single break, bilateral
    H33.023Retinal detachment with multiple breaks, bilateral
    H35.00Unspecified background retinopathy
    H35.011Changes in retinal vascular appearance, right eye
    H35.012Changes in retinal vascular appearance, left eye
    H35.031Hypertensive retinopathy, right eye
    H35.032Hypertensive retinopathy, left eye

    Showing 1–10 of 15

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Infectious Disease1 / 3

    10 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 Diagnosis of Active or Latent TuberculosisOscar Health2026-10-01
    Testing for Vector-Borne InfectionsOscar Health2026-10-01
    Coronavirus Testing in the Outpatient SettingOscar Health2026-10-01
    Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)blue cross blue shield - louisiana2026-09-15

    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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