A9698 HCPCS code: Non-radioactive contrast imaging material, not otherwise classified, per study
A9698 is the HCPCS Level II code for non-radioactive contrast imaging material, not otherwise classified, per study. In 2024 Medicare paid an average of $17.77 per service for A9698 across 598 services. Its Medicare coverage code is D (Special coverage instructions apply): Medicare covers it when its national or local coverage criteria are met. The NCCI unit limit is 3 per day on outpatient hospital claims. Medicare volume rose 230% from 2023 to 2024 (181 to 598 services). In 2024, about 51 clinicians billed Medicare for A9698 for 236 beneficiaries.
Code details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Section | A codes — Transportation, medical/surgical supplies and miscellaneous |
| Coverage code | D — Special coverage instructions apply |
| Pricing indicator | 51 — Drug or biological (priced per ASP/average sales price rules) |
| BETOS category | I1E |
| Added | 2006-01-01 |
| Last action effective | 2006-01-01 |
Who bills A9698 (2024)
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Clinicians billing (by place of service) | 51 |
| Medicare beneficiaries | 236 |
| States with claims | 4 |
Counts only. Supplier and clinician names, contact lists and state-by-state detail are in Caduvo.
Medicare utilization for A9698, 2023–2024
| Year | Services | Beneficiaries | Avg. allowed | Avg. paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 181 | 143 | $16.44 | $13.10 |
| 2024 | 598 | 236 | $22.30 | $17.77 |
States with the most A9698 services (2024)
| State | Services | Avg. paid |
|---|---|---|
| California | 523 | $9.03 |
| Massachusetts | 23 | $22.17 |
| New Jersey | 20 | $117.60 |
| Texas | 19 | $95.10 |
NCCI unit limits (MUE)
| Claim type | Max units per day | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| outpatient hospital claims | 3 | Clinical: CMS Workgroup |
| practitioner claims | 2 | Clinical: Data |
What changed for A9698
- 2006-01-01: A9698 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 A9698?
A9698 is the HCPCS Level II code for non-radioactive contrast imaging material, not otherwise classified, per study. Short descriptor: "Non-rad contrast materialnoc".
How much does Medicare pay for A9698?
In 2024, the average Medicare payment was $17.77 per service (average allowed $22.30).
Does Medicare cover A9698?
Coverage code D — Special coverage instructions apply. Medicare covers it when its national or local coverage criteria are met.
How many units of A9698 can be billed per day?
3 on outpatient hospital claims; 2 on practitioner claims (NCCI medically unlikely edits).
Related A96 codes
- A9600 — Strontium sr-89 chloride, therapeutic, per millicurie
- A9601 — Flortaucipir f 18 injection, diagnostic, 1 millicurie
- A9602 — Fluorodopa f-18, diagnostic, per millicurie
- A9603 — Injection, pafolacianine, 0.1 mg
- A9604 — Samarium sm-153 lexidronam, therapeutic, per treatment dose, up to 150 millicuries
- A9606 — Radium ra-223 dichloride, therapeutic, per microcurie
- A9607 — Lutetium lu 177 vipivotide tetraxetan, therapeutic, 1 millicurie
- A9608 — Flotufolastat f 18, diagnostic, 1 millicurie
- A9609 — Fludeoxyglucose f18 up to 15 millicuries
- A9610 — Xenon xe-129 hyperpolarized gas, diagnostic, per study dose
- A9611 — Flurpiridaz f 18, diagnostic, 1 millicurie
- A9612 — Injection, fluorescein, 1 mg
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 A9698
- Watch A9698 for fee, coverage and descriptor changes
- Build a full Medicare revenue model for A9698
Sources: CMS HCPCS Level II release October 2025; 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.