A9579 HCPCS code: Injection, gadolinium-based magnetic resonance contrast agent, not otherwise specified (nos), per ml
A9579 is the HCPCS Level II code for injection, gadolinium-based magnetic resonance contrast agent, not otherwise specified (nos), per ml. In 2024 Medicare paid an average of $1.15 per service for A9579 across 722,472 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 100 per day on outpatient hospital claims. Medicare volume fell 16% from 2022 to 2024 (858,733 to 722,472 services). In 2024, about 2,080 clinicians billed Medicare for A9579 for 42,189 beneficiaries; California, New York, Florida accounted for 47% of services.
Code details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Section | A codes — Transportation, medical/surgical supplies and miscellaneous |
| Coverage code | C — Carrier judgment |
| Pricing indicator | 51 — Drug or biological (priced per ASP/average sales price rules) |
| BETOS category | I1E |
| Added | 2008-01-01 |
| Last action effective | 2008-01-01 |
Who bills A9579 (2024)
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Clinicians billing (by place of service) | 2,080 |
| Medicare beneficiaries | 42,189 |
| States with claims | 48 |
| Share of services in top 3 states (California, New York, Florida) | 47% |
Counts only. Supplier and clinician names, contact lists and state-by-state detail are in Caduvo.
Medicare utilization for A9579, 2022–2024
| Year | Services | Beneficiaries | Avg. allowed | Avg. paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 858,733 | 49,410 | $1.53 | $1.21 |
| 2023 | 784,880 | 47,578 | $1.52 | $1.20 |
| 2024 | 722,472 | 42,189 | $1.47 | $1.15 |
States with the most A9579 services (2024)
| State | Services | Avg. paid |
|---|---|---|
| California | 132,791 | $1.17 |
| New York | 115,235 | $1.14 |
| Florida | 93,670 | $1.16 |
| Texas | 53,842 | $1.17 |
| Tennessee | 39,788 | $1.14 |
NCCI unit limits (MUE)
| Claim type | Max units per day | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| outpatient hospital claims | 100 | Prescribing Information |
| practitioner claims | 100 | Prescribing Information |
What changed for A9579
- 2008-01-01: A9579 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 A9579?
A9579 is the HCPCS Level II code for injection, gadolinium-based magnetic resonance contrast agent, not otherwise specified (nos), per ml. Short descriptor: "Gad-base mr contrast nos,1ml".
How much does Medicare pay for A9579?
In 2024, the average Medicare payment was $1.15 per service (average allowed $1.47).
Does Medicare cover A9579?
Coverage code C — Carrier judgment. Coverage is decided by the Medicare contractor (MAC) case by case.
How many units of A9579 can be billed per day?
100 on outpatient hospital claims; 100 on practitioner claims (NCCI medically unlikely edits).
Related A95 codes
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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 A9579
- Watch A9579 for fee, coverage and descriptor changes
- Build a full Medicare revenue model for A9579
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.