A9606 HCPCS code: Radium ra-223 dichloride, therapeutic, per microcurie
A9606 is the HCPCS Level II code for radium ra-223 dichloride, therapeutic, per microcurie. In 2024 Medicare paid an average of $137.73 per service for A9606 across 132,313 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 224 per day on outpatient hospital claims. Medicare volume fell 44% from 2022 to 2024 (237,613 to 132,313 services). In 2024, about 155 clinicians billed Medicare for A9606 for 297 beneficiaries; Florida, Maryland, Texas accounted for 44% 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 | 2015-01-01 |
| Last action effective | 2025-01-01 |
Who bills A9606 (2024)
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Clinicians billing (by place of service) | 155 |
| Medicare beneficiaries | 297 |
| States with claims | 11 |
| Share of services in top 3 states (Florida, Maryland, Texas) | 44% |
Counts only. Supplier and clinician names, contact lists and state-by-state detail are in Caduvo.
Medicare utilization for A9606, 2022–2024
| Year | Services | Beneficiaries | Avg. allowed | Avg. paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 237,613 | 541 | $158.41 | $126.44 |
| 2023 | 164,321 | 370 | $161.22 | $128.44 |
| 2024 | 132,313 | 297 | $172.88 | $137.73 |
States with the most A9606 services (2024)
| State | Services | Avg. paid |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | 16,077 | $136.04 |
| Maryland | 13,771 | $132.63 |
| Texas | 13,181 | $138.42 |
| Arizona | 10,837 | $138.63 |
| California | 10,517 | $141.08 |
NCCI unit limits (MUE)
| Claim type | Max units per day | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| outpatient hospital claims | 224 | Prescribing Information |
| practitioner claims | 224 | Prescribing Information |
Medicare policy articles for this code
- A54559: Billing and Coding: Xofigo Billing Instructions (Palmetto GBA (MAC - Part B))
Covered diagnoses (3 ICD-10-CM codes)
The diagnoses most often listed as covered in the policy articles above:
| ICD-10-CM | Diagnosis | Articles listing it |
|---|---|---|
| C61 | Malignant neoplasm of prostate | 1 |
| C79.51 | Secondary malignant neoplasm of bone | 1 |
| C79.52 | Secondary malignant neoplasm of bone marrow | 1 |
What changed for A9606
- 2015-01-01: A9606 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 A9606?
A9606 is the HCPCS Level II code for radium ra-223 dichloride, therapeutic, per microcurie. Short descriptor: "Radium ra223 dichloride ther".
How much does Medicare pay for A9606?
In 2024, the average Medicare payment was $137.73 per service (average allowed $172.88).
Does Medicare cover A9606?
Coverage code C — Carrier judgment. Coverage is decided by the Medicare contractor (MAC) case by case.
Which diagnoses support coverage for A9606?
Medicare policy articles that cite A9606 list 3 covered ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes across 1 article. The most cited include C61 (Malignant neoplasm of prostate), C79.51 (Secondary malignant neoplasm of bone), C79.52 (Secondary malignant neoplasm of bone marrow). A listed diagnosis is necessary but not sufficient; the policy's other criteria still apply.
How many units of A9606 can be billed per day?
224 on outpatient hospital claims; 224 on practitioner claims (NCCI medically unlikely edits).
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Next steps
- Run a reimbursement report for a device billed under A9606
- Watch A9606 for fee, coverage and descriptor changes
- Build a full Medicare revenue model for A9606
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.