J0132 HCPCS code: Injection, acetylcysteine, 100 mg
J0132 is the HCPCS Level II code for injection, acetylcysteine, 100 mg. In 2024 Medicare paid an average of $0.48 per service for J0132 across 1,097 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 300 per day on outpatient hospital claims. Medicare volume rose 192% from 2022 to 2024 (376 to 1,097 services). In 2024, about 8 clinicians billed Medicare for J0132 for 188 beneficiaries.
Code details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Section | J codes — Drugs administered other than oral method |
| Coverage code | C — Carrier judgment |
| Pricing indicator | 51 — Drug or biological (priced per ASP/average sales price rules) |
| BETOS category | O1E — Other drugs |
| Added | 2006-01-01 |
| Last action effective | 2018-01-01 |
Who bills J0132 (2024)
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Clinicians billing (by place of service) | 8 |
| Medicare beneficiaries | 188 |
| States with claims | 2 |
Counts only. Supplier and clinician names, contact lists and state-by-state detail are in Caduvo.
Medicare utilization for J0132, 2022–2024
| Year | Services | Beneficiaries | Avg. allowed | Avg. paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 376 | 52 | $0.75 | $0.59 |
| 2023 | 521 | 90 | $0.75 | $0.60 |
| 2024 | 1,097 | 188 | $0.62 | $0.48 |
States with the most J0132 services (2024)
| State | Services | Avg. paid |
|---|---|---|
| California | 847 | $0.49 |
| Arizona | 226 | $0.47 |
NCCI unit limits (MUE)
| Claim type | Max units per day | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| outpatient hospital claims | 300 | Clinical: Data |
| practitioner claims | 12 | Clinical: Data |
What changed for J0132
- 2006-01-01: J0132 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 J0132?
J0132 is the HCPCS Level II code for injection, acetylcysteine, 100 mg. Short descriptor: "Acetylcysteine injection".
How much does Medicare pay for J0132?
In 2024, the average Medicare payment was $0.48 per service (average allowed $0.62).
Does Medicare cover J0132?
Coverage code C — Carrier judgment. Coverage is decided by the Medicare contractor (MAC) case by case.
How many units of J0132 can be billed per day?
300 on outpatient hospital claims; 12 on practitioner claims (NCCI medically unlikely edits).
Related J01 codes
- J0120 — Injection, tetracycline, up to 250 mg
- J0121 — Injection, omadacycline, 1 mg
- J0122 — Injection, eravacycline, 1 mg
- J0129 — Injection, abatacept, 10 mg (code may be used for medicare when drug administered under the direct supervision of a physician, not for use when drug is self administered)
- J0130 — Injection abciximab, 10 mg
- J0131 — Injection, acetaminophen, not otherwise specified,10 mg
- J0133 — Injection, acyclovir, 5 mg
- J0134 — Injection, acetaminophen (fresenius kabi), not therapeutically equivalent to j0131, 10 mg
- J0135 — Injection, adalimumab, 20 mg
- J0136 — Injection, acetaminophen (b braun), not therapeutically equivalent to j0131, 10 mg
- J0137 — Injection, acetaminophen (hikma), not therapeutically equivalent to j0131, 10 mg
- J0138 — Injection, acetaminophen 10 mg and ibuprofen 3 mg
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Next steps
- Run a reimbursement report for a device billed under J0132
- Watch J0132 for fee, coverage and descriptor changes
- Build a full Medicare revenue model for J0132
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.