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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesTemporary National Codes (Non-Medicare)HCPCS hcpcs-s0156-exemestane-25mg-oral-hormonal-therapy
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    HCPCS S0156: Exemestane, 25 mg

    HCPCS Level II code S0156 describes administration of Exemestane, 25 mg, an oral aromatase inhibitor used in endocrine therapy; the service type is oral anti-cancer medication dispensed/administered, typically provided in outpatient oncology clinics, infusion centers with oral chemotherapy support, or retail/infusion pharmacies.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Fixed Wing Air Ambulance Transport, Air Ambulance, Ambulance Services (for Tennessee Only).

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    • Billing CodesCPT, HCPCS, DRG & more
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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A typical patient is a postmenopausal woman with hormone receptor–positive early-stage or metastatic breast cancer receiving oral aromatase inhibitor therapy. The medication administered under HCPCS Level II code S0156 is Exemestane, 25 mg, prescribed for daily oral use to reduce estrogen synthesis. Clinical workflow begins with an oncology or gynecologic oncology consultation where the diagnosis and endocrine therapy plan are documented. Baseline assessments include menopausal status, bone mineral density, liver function tests, and a medication reconciliation for interacting drugs. The prescription is dispensed by an outpatient infusion pharmacy or specialty pharmacy; coverage verification and prior authorization may be completed by clinical staff. Follow-up visits occur every 3 months initially to assess tolerance, adherence, and adverse effects (arthralgia, hot flashes, osteoporosis risk) with periodic labs and imaging per oncologist discretion. Supportive care (calcium/vitamin D, bisphosphonates or denosumab when indicated) is coordinated with primary care or endocrinology. Billing for the medication uses S0156 and may include appropriate payer-specific modifiers when reporting dispensing, reimbursement adjustments, or split/shared services.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    99213Office or other outpatient visit for the evaluation and management of an established patient, typically 15 minutesCommon outpatient visit where medication management, side-effect assessment, and prescription of S0156 are documented
    99214Office or other outpatient visit for the evaluation and management of an established patient, typically 25 minutesUsed for more complex medication management visits involving treatment planning, toxicity management, and coordination of supportive care
    96372Therapeutic, prophylactic, or diagnostic injection (specify substance or drug); subcutaneous or intramuscularNot used to bill oral exemestane but relevant when patients also receive injectable supportive agents (e.g., denosumab) during the same visit
    99605Medication therapy management service(s) by a pharmacist, initial 15 minutes, face-to-faceUsed when an oncology pharmacist provides comprehensive medication therapy management related to exemestane initiation
    77080Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), bone density study, 1 or more sites; axial skeletonFrequently performed baseline and surveillance test to monitor bone density in patients on aromatase inhibitors such as exemestane

    Related Modifiers

    11 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…
    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…

    Showing 1–10 of 11

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy CodeSpecialtyNotes
    207RG0300XGeriatric Medicine (Internal Medicine) PhysicianAn internist who has special knowledge of the aging process and special skills in the diagnostic, therapeutic, preventive and rehabilitative aspects o…
    207RH0000XHematology (Internal Medicine) PhysicianAn internist with additional training who specializes in diseases of the blood, spleen and lymph. This specialist treats conditions such as anemia, cl…
    163W00000XRegistered Nurse(1) A registered nurse is a person qualified by graduation from an accredited nursing school (depending upon schooling, a registered nurse may receive…
    363L00000XNurse Practitioner(1) A registered nurse provider with a graduate degree in nursing prepared for advanced practice involving independent and interdependent decision mak…
    2084B0040XBehavioral Neurology & Neuropsychiatry PhysicianBehavioral Neurology & Neuropsychiatry is a medical subspecialty involving the diagnosis and treatment of neurologically based behavioral issues.
    111NR0400XRehabilitation ChiropractorRehabilitation is the discipline focused on restoring a patient's functional abilities to pre-injury or pre-disease status. Functional abilities are d…
    363AM0700XMedical Physician AssistantPhysician Assistants & Advanced Practice Nursing Providers · Physician Assistant
    2084F0202XForensic Psychiatry PhysicianForensic Psychiatry is a subspecialty with psychiatric focus on interrelationships with civil, criminal and administrative law, evaluation and special…

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Emergency & Medical Transportation1 / 3

    9 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Fixed Wing Air Ambulance TransportCigna2026-08-15
    Air AmbulanceAmbetter Georgia2026-08-01
    Ambulance Services (for Tennessee Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-08-01
    Ambulance Services (for New Mexico Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-08-01
    Clinical Policy: Air AmbulanceArizona Complete Health2026-08-01
    Clinical Policy: Air AmbulanceCentene2026-08-01
    Air AmbulanceCentene2026-08-01
    Clinical Policy: Air AmbulanceAmbetter Nevada2026-08-01
    Ambulance TransportProvidence Health Plan2026-07-01

    Related Codes

    HCPCS-LEVEL-II-S2152-SOLID-ORGAN-TRANSPLANTATION-GLOBAL-CARE

    HCPCS Level II S2152: Solid Organ Procurement and Transplantation

    HCPCS-LEVEL-II-S2266-INDUCED-ABORTION-29-TO-31-WEEKS

    HCPCS Level II S2266: Induced Abortion, 29 to 31 Weeks

    HCPCS-LEVEL-II-S3630-EOSINOPHIL-COUNT-BLOOD-DIRECT

    HCPCS Level II S3630: Eosinophil Count, Blood, Direct

    HCPCS-LEVEL-II-S4017-INCOMPLETE-ART-CYCLE-CANCELLED-PRIOR-TO-STIMULATION

    HCPCS Level II S4017: Incomplete Cycle — Cancelled Prior to Stimulation

    HCPCS-LEVEL-II-S8055-ULTRASOUND-GUIDANCE-MULTIFETAL-REDUCTION-TC

    HCPCS Level II S8055: Ultrasound Guidance for Multifetal Pregnancy Reduction

    HCPCS-LEVEL-II-S8940-EQUESTRIAN-HIPPOTHERAPY-PER-SESSION

    HCPCS Level II S8940: Equestrian/Hippotherapy, Per Session

    HCPCS-LEVEL-II-S9024-PARANASAL-SINUS-ULTRASOUND

    HCPCS Level II S9024: Paranasal Sinus Ultrasound

    HCPCS-LEVEL-II-S9366-HOME-TPN-1-2L-PER-DAY-HOME-INFUSION

    HCPCS Level II S9366: Home Infusion TPN, 1–2 L/day

    HCPCS-LEVEL-II-S9446-GROUP-PATIENT-EDUCATION-NON-PHYSICIAN

    HCPCS S9446: Patient Education, Non-Physician Provider, Group, Per Session

    HCPCS-LEVEL-II-S9451-EXERCISE-CLASS-NON-PHYSICIAN-SESSION

    HCPCS S9451: Exercise Classes, Non-Physician Provider, Per Session

    Showing 1–10 of 532

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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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