C9290 HCPCS code: Injection, bupivacaine liposome, 1 mg
C9290 is the HCPCS Level II code for injection, bupivacaine liposome, 1 mg. CMS terminated C9290 on 2024-12-31; do not bill it for later dates of service. In 2024 Medicare paid an average of $1.11 per service for C9290 across 6,884,665 services. Its Medicare coverage code is D (Special coverage instructions apply): Medicare covers it when its national or local coverage criteria are met. Medicare volume rose 38% from 2022 to 2024 (4,981,271 to 6,884,665 services). In 2024, about 902 clinicians billed Medicare for C9290 for 33,812 beneficiaries; Florida, Texas, California accounted for 33% of services.
Code details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Section | C codes — Outpatient PPS (hospital outpatient temporary codes) |
| Coverage code | D — Special coverage instructions apply |
| Pricing indicator | 53 |
| BETOS category | O1E — Other drugs |
| Added | 2012-04-01 |
| Last action effective | 2025-01-01 |
| Terminated | 2024-12-31 |
Who bills C9290 (2024)
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Clinicians billing (by place of service) | 902 |
| Medicare beneficiaries | 33,812 |
| States with claims | 47 |
| Share of services in top 3 states (Florida, Texas, California) | 33% |
Counts only. Supplier and clinician names, contact lists and state-by-state detail are in Caduvo.
Medicare utilization for C9290, 2022–2024
| Year | Services | Beneficiaries | Avg. allowed | Avg. paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 4,981,271 | 23,910 | $1.33 | $1.06 |
| 2023 | 5,635,074 | 27,080 | $1.37 | $1.09 |
| 2024 | 6,884,665 | 33,812 | $1.39 | $1.11 |
States with the most C9290 services (2024)
| State | Services | Avg. paid |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | 1,077,066 | $1.12 |
| Texas | 603,564 | $1.10 |
| California | 581,804 | $1.12 |
| North Carolina | 407,843 | $1.11 |
| Ohio | 274,132 | $1.12 |
What changed for C9290
- 2012-04-01: C9290 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 C9290?
C9290 is the HCPCS Level II code for injection, bupivacaine liposome, 1 mg. Short descriptor: "Inj, bupivacaine liposome".
How much does Medicare pay for C9290?
In 2024, the average Medicare payment was $1.11 per service (average allowed $1.39).
Does Medicare cover C9290?
Coverage code D — Special coverage instructions apply. Medicare covers it when its national or local coverage criteria are met.
Related C92 codes
- C9248 — Injection, clevidipine butyrate, 1 mg
- C9250 — Human plasma fibrin sealant, vapor-heated, solvent-detergent (artiss), 2 ml
- C9254 — Injection, lacosamide, 1 mg
- C9257 — Injection, bevacizumab, 0.25 mg
- C9275 — Injection, hexaminolevulinate hydrochloride, 100 mg, per study dose
- C9285 — Lidocaine 70 mg/tetracaine 70 mg, per patch
- C9293 — Injection, glucarpidase, 10 units
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Next steps
- Run a reimbursement report for a device billed under C9290
- Watch C9290 for fee, coverage and descriptor changes
- Build a full Medicare revenue model for C9290
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.