Summary & Overview
HCPCS Q9962: High Osmolar Iodinated Contrast, 300–349 mg/ml
HCPCS Level II code Q9962 identifies high osmolar iodinated contrast material with an iodine concentration of 300–349 mg/ml, billed per milliliter. This code covers a commonly used intravascular contrast agent for CT angiography, fluoroscopy, and other radiologic studies that require vascular or tissue enhancement. Nationally, contrast media coding matters because it affects imaging costs, billing accuracy, and supply tracking across hospital radiology departments and outpatient imaging centers.
Key payers in coverage discussions include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of the clinical context for use of Q9962, typical sites of service, and the implications for claims processing. The publication provides benchmarks where available, common modifier use, and notes on coding precision and documentation required to support per-milliliter billing.
The report is intended for billing professionals, radiology administrators, and policy analysts seeking clarity on the clinical role of the product represented by Q9962, payer coverage landscape, and operational considerations for imaging services that utilize high osmolar contrast agents. Data not available in the input are clearly identified.
Billing Code Overview
HCPCS Level II code Q9962 denotes high osmolar contrast material with an iodine concentration of 300–349 mg/ml, billed per milliliter. This product is used as an intravascular radiographic contrast agent to enhance imaging studies such as computed tomography (CT) angiography, fluoroscopic procedures, and other contrast-enhanced radiologic examinations.
Service type: Contrast agent for radiologic imaging
Typical site of service: Hospital radiology departments, outpatient imaging centers, and ambulatory surgical centers
Data not available in the input for associated taxonomies, ICD-10 diagnoses, and related codes.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 68-year-old patient with known peripheral vascular disease and chronic kidney disease stage 3 presents for an outpatient diagnostic peripheral angiography to evaluate worsening claudication and new rest pain. The imaging procedure requires intravascular iodinated contrast. The interventional radiology team selects a high osmolar contrast agent with iodine concentration in the 300–349 mg/mL range, billed with Q9962, to optimize vessel opacification for digital subtraction angiography.
The clinical workflow: the patient arrives to the outpatient angiography suite or hospital radiology department, consents to the procedure, and pre-procedure renal function and allergy history are reviewed. Vascular access is obtained by the interventional radiologist or vascular surgeon, contrast is injected during fluoroscopic angiography, and diagnostic images are acquired. Post-procedure monitoring occurs in the recovery area; contrast volume and lot are documented. The facility bills the contrast per milliliter using Q9962 and the performing provider bills the angiography CPT codes and professional services as applicable.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
00 | Procedure performed as requested (no modifier) |