J0490 HCPCS code: Injection, belimumab, 10 mg
J0490 is the HCPCS Level II code for injection, belimumab, 10 mg. In 2024 Medicare paid an average of $40.48 per service for J0490 across 1,633,207 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 160 per day on outpatient hospital claims. Medicare volume rose 4% from 2022 to 2024 (1,573,383 to 1,633,207 services). In 2024, about 1,942 clinicians billed Medicare for J0490 for 2,626 beneficiaries; California, Florida, Texas accounted for 27% of services.
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 | 2012-01-01 |
| Last action effective | 2012-01-01 |
Who bills J0490 (2024)
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Clinicians billing (by place of service) | 1,942 |
| Medicare beneficiaries | 2,626 |
| States with claims | 38 |
| Share of services in top 3 states (California, Florida, Texas) | 27% |
Counts only. Supplier and clinician names, contact lists and state-by-state detail are in Caduvo.
Medicare utilization for J0490, 2022–2024
| Year | Services | Beneficiaries | Avg. allowed | Avg. paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1,573,383 | 2,536 | $46.34 | $36.95 |
| 2023 | 1,611,787 | 2,571 | $47.90 | $38.12 |
| 2024 | 1,633,207 | 2,626 | $50.86 | $40.48 |
States with the most J0490 services (2024)
| State | Services | Avg. paid |
|---|---|---|
| California | 172,960 | $40.03 |
| Florida | 137,009 | $40.20 |
| Texas | 116,887 | $40.42 |
| New York | 107,963 | $40.96 |
| South Carolina | 93,676 | $39.51 |
NCCI unit limits (MUE)
| Claim type | Max units per day | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| outpatient hospital claims | 160 | Prescribing Information |
| practitioner claims | 160 | Prescribing Information |
What changed for J0490
- 2012-01-01: J0490 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 J0490?
J0490 is the HCPCS Level II code for injection, belimumab, 10 mg. Short descriptor: "Belimumab injection".
How much does Medicare pay for J0490?
In 2024, the average Medicare payment was $40.48 per service (average allowed $50.86).
Does Medicare cover J0490?
Coverage code C — Carrier judgment. Coverage is decided by the Medicare contractor (MAC) case by case.
How many units of J0490 can be billed per day?
160 on outpatient hospital claims; 160 on practitioner claims (NCCI medically unlikely edits).
Related J04 codes
- J0400 — Injection, aripiprazole, intramuscular, 0.25 mg
- J0401 — Injection, aripiprazole (abilify maintena), 1 mg
- J0402 — Injection, aripiprazole (abilify asimtufii), 1 mg
- J0456 — Injection, azithromycin, 500 mg
- J0457 — Injection, aztreonam, 100 mg
- J0458 — Injection, aztreonam/avibactam, 7.5 mg/2.5 mg (10 mg)
- J0461 — Injection, atropine sulfate, 0.01 mg
- J0462 — Injection, atropine sulfate, not therapeutically equivalent to j0461, 0.01 mg
- J0470 — Injection, dimercaprol, per 100 mg
- J0475 — Injection, baclofen, 10 mg
- J0476 — Injection, baclofen, 50 mcg for intrathecal trial
- J0480 — Injection, basiliximab, 20 mg
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Next steps
- Run a reimbursement report for a device billed under J0490
- Watch J0490 for fee, coverage and descriptor changes
- Build a full Medicare revenue model for J0490
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.