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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesTemporary National Codes (Non-Medicare)HCPCS hcpcs-s8490-insulin-syringes-100-pack
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    HCPCS Level II S8490: Insulin Syringes, 100-Pack

    HCPCS Level II code S8490 describes a supply item for insulin syringes (100 syringes, any size) intended for supply distribution for insulin administration, typically provided as a durable medical supply or pharmacy-supplied injectable accessory for use in outpatient clinics, home health settings, or retail pharmacy pickup; the code identifies a bundled quantity (100 syringes) for billing and inventory purposes and is used when documenting the provision of multiple insulin syringes to a patient for ongoing diabetes self-administration.

    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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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A typical patient receiving S8490 is an adult or pediatric patient with diabetes mellitus who requires outpatient supply of insulin administration supplies. The clinical workflow begins with a prescribing clinician (endocrinologist, primary care physician, or diabetes educator) documenting the medical necessity for disposable insulin syringes, usually in quantities consistent with a 1–3 month supply. The prescription is transmitted to a durable medical equipment (DME) supplier, pharmacy, or clinic supply department that bills under HCPCS Level II. The patient typically receives a boxed pack of 100 insulin syringes (any size) for subcutaneous insulin injections administered at home. Typical sites of service include outpatient clinics, physician offices, pharmacies, home health settings, and outpatient DME suppliers. Common clinical touchpoints include diabetes education, medication reconciliation, verification of insulin regimen and dosing, and documentation of indication (for example, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus). Billing occurs under the supplier or clinic NPI, and supporting documentation in the medical record includes the prescription, diagnosis linking the need for insulin administration, and any patient counseling or training provided.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    99213Office or other outpatient visit for the evaluation and management of an established patient, typically 15 minutesFrequently performed when clinicians review insulin regimens and prescribe S8490 supplies during a routine follow-up visit.
    99406Smoking and tobacco use cessation counseling visit, intermediate, greater than 3 minutes up to 10 minutesMay be performed in the same encounter as diabetes counseling but not directly tied to supply billing; included when counseling services are billed.
    95250Ambulatory continuous glucose monitoring (placement of sensor with interpretation)Performed in diabetes management workflows; supply of syringes may accompany insulin management decisions informed by CGM data.
    95117Professional services for allergen immunotherapy not directly related but illustrative of supply-associated servicesRarely related to insulin syringes; included only as example of procedures that involve supply dispensing workflows.
    99401Preventive medicine counseling, individual, 15 minutesDiabetes self-management education and injection technique counseling performed alongside supply provision.

    Related Modifiers

    6 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…
    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…
    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
    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…
    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…
    207R00000XInternal Medicine PhysicianA physician who provides long-term, comprehensive care in the office and the hospital, managing both common and complex illness of adolescents, adults…
    364S00000XClinical Nurse SpecialistA registered nurse who, through a graduate degree program in nursing, or through a formal post-basic education program or continuing education courses…
    3336C0003XCommunity/Retail PharmacyA pharmacy where pharmacists store, prepare, and dispense medicinal preparations and/or prescriptions for a local patient population in accordance wit…
    3336M0003XManaged Care Organization PharmacyA pharmacy owned by a managed care organization (MCO) used by pharmacists for the compounding and dispensing of medicinal preparations to that MCO's c…
    2080P1004XPhysician Nutrition Specialist (Pediatrics)A physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of primary nutritional diseases (e.g., undernutrition, overnutrition, and genetic or acquir…
    225XE0001XEnvironmental Modification Occupational TherapistOccupational therapy practitioners are experts at identifying the cause of difficulties in performance of activities of daily living and instrumental …

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    29 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    E08.21Diabetes mellitus due to underlying condition with diabetic nephropathy
    E08.65Diabetes mellitus due to underlying condition with hyperglycemia
    E08.9Diabetes mellitus due to underlying condition without complications
    E09.21Drug or chemical induced diabetes mellitus with diabetic nephropathy
    E09.65Drug or chemical induced diabetes mellitus with hyperglycemia
    E09.9Drug or chemical induced diabetes mellitus without complications
    E10.10Type 1 diabetes mellitus with ketoacidosis without coma
    E10.11Type 1 diabetes mellitus with ketoacidosis with coma
    E10.21Type 1 diabetes mellitus with diabetic nephropathy
    E10.65Type 1 diabetes mellitus with hyperglycemia

    Showing 1–10 of 29

    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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