A9517 HCPCS code: Iodine i-131 sodium iodide capsule(s), therapeutic, per millicurie
A9517 is the HCPCS Level II code for iodine i-131 sodium iodide capsule(s), therapeutic, per millicurie. In 2024 Medicare paid an average of $33.89 per service for A9517 across 13,991 services. Its Medicare coverage code is C (Carrier judgment): Coverage is decided by the Medicare contractor (MAC) case by case. The NCCI unit limit is 200 per day on outpatient hospital claims. Medicare volume fell 29% from 2022 to 2024 (19,656 to 13,991 services). In 2024, about 112 clinicians billed Medicare for A9517 for 239 beneficiaries; Arizona, California, Florida accounted for 71% of services.
Code details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Section | A codes — Transportation, medical/surgical supplies and miscellaneous |
| Coverage code | C — Carrier judgment |
| Pricing indicator | 57 |
| BETOS category | I1E |
| Added | 2003-01-01 |
| Last action effective | 2025-01-01 |
Who bills A9517 (2024)
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Clinicians billing (by place of service) | 112 |
| Medicare beneficiaries | 239 |
| States with claims | 9 |
| Share of services in top 3 states (Arizona, California, Florida) | 71% |
Counts only. Supplier and clinician names, contact lists and state-by-state detail are in Caduvo.
Medicare utilization for A9517, 2022–2024
| Year | Services | Beneficiaries | Avg. allowed | Avg. paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 19,656 | 332 | $33.30 | $26.53 |
| 2023 | 13,373 | 244 | $42.61 | $33.96 |
| 2024 | 13,991 | 239 | $42.56 | $33.89 |
States with the most A9517 services (2024)
| State | Services | Avg. paid |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | 2,857 | $32.21 |
| California | 2,642 | $26.93 |
| Florida | 1,611 | $24.44 |
| Louisiana | 1,272 | $17.46 |
| New York | 1,144 | $100.88 |
NCCI unit limits (MUE)
| Claim type | Max units per day | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| outpatient hospital claims | 200 | Clinical: Society Comment |
| practitioner claims | 200 | Clinical: Society Comment |
What changed for A9517
- 2003-01-01: A9517 added to HCPCS Level II
- Next scheduled CMS quarterly update (HCPCS and DMEPOS fee schedule): 2027-01-01
Frequently asked questions
What is HCPCS code A9517?
A9517 is the HCPCS Level II code for iodine i-131 sodium iodide capsule(s), therapeutic, per millicurie. Short descriptor: "I131 iodide cap, rx".
How much does Medicare pay for A9517?
In 2024, the average Medicare payment was $33.89 per service (average allowed $42.56).
Does Medicare cover A9517?
Coverage code C — Carrier judgment. Coverage is decided by the Medicare contractor (MAC) case by case.
How many units of A9517 can be billed per day?
200 on outpatient hospital claims; 200 on practitioner claims (NCCI medically unlikely edits).
Related A95 codes
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- A9501 — Technetium tc-99m teboroxime, diagnostic, per study dose
- A9502 — Technetium tc-99m tetrofosmin, diagnostic, per study dose
- A9503 — Technetium tc-99m medronate, diagnostic, per study dose, up to 30 millicuries
- A9504 — Technetium tc-99m apcitide, diagnostic, per study dose, up to 20 millicuries
- A9505 — Thallium tl-201 thallous chloride, diagnostic, per millicurie
- A9506 — Graphite crucible for preparation of technetium tc 99m-labeled carbon aerosol, one crucible
- A9507 — Indium in-111 capromab pendetide, diagnostic, per study dose, up to 10 millicuries
- A9508 — Iodine i-131 iobenguane sulfate, diagnostic, per 0.5 millicurie
- A9509 — Iodine i-123 sodium iodide, diagnostic, per millicurie
- A9510 — Technetium tc-99m disofenin, diagnostic, per study dose, up to 15 millicuries
- A9512 — Technetium tc-99m pertechnetate, diagnostic, per millicurie
Building a device that would bill under a code like this? Caduvo matches a device description to HCPCS/CPT codes, Medicare coverage and payment, and the FDA pathway in one report.
Next steps
- Run a reimbursement report for a device billed under A9517
- Watch A9517 for fee, coverage and descriptor changes
- Build a full Medicare revenue model for A9517
Sources: CMS HCPCS Level II release October 2026; CMS DMEPOS fee schedule; CMS NCCI MUE tables; CMS Medicare utilization (physician and DME supplier files); CMS Medicare Coverage Database articles. Fees are Medicare allowables, not commercial rates. Not billing or legal advice.