J0688 HCPCS code: Injection, cefazolin sodium (hikma), not therapeutically equivalent to j0690, 500 mg
J0688 is the HCPCS Level II code for injection, cefazolin sodium (hikma), not therapeutically equivalent to j0690, 500 mg. In 2024 Medicare paid an average of $0.59 per service for J0688 across 264 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 16 per day on DME suppliers. In 2024, about 13 clinicians billed Medicare for J0688 for 51 beneficiaries.
Code details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Section | J codes — Drugs administered other than oral method |
| Coverage code | D — Special coverage instructions apply |
| Pricing indicator | 51 — Drug or biological (priced per ASP/average sales price rules) |
| BETOS category | O1E — Other drugs |
| Added | 2024-01-01 |
| Last action effective | 2025-01-01 |
Who bills J0688 (2024)
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Clinicians billing (by place of service) | 13 |
| Medicare beneficiaries | 51 |
| States with claims | 1 |
Counts only. Supplier and clinician names, contact lists and state-by-state detail are in Caduvo.
Medicare utilization for J0688, 2024–2024
| Year | Services | Beneficiaries | Avg. allowed | Avg. paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 264 | 51 | $1.05 | $0.59 |
States with the most J0688 services (2024)
| State | Services | Avg. paid |
|---|---|---|
| California | 96 | $0.78 |
NCCI unit limits (MUE)
| Claim type | Max units per day | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| DME suppliers | 16 | CMS Policy |
| outpatient hospital claims | 16 | CMS Policy |
| practitioner claims | 16 | CMS Policy |
What changed for J0688
- 2024-01-01: J0688 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 J0688?
J0688 is the HCPCS Level II code for injection, cefazolin sodium (hikma), not therapeutically equivalent to j0690, 500 mg. Short descriptor: "Inj cefazolin sodium, hikma".
How much does Medicare pay for J0688?
In 2024, the average Medicare payment was $0.59 per service (average allowed $1.05).
Does Medicare cover J0688?
Coverage code D — Special coverage instructions apply. Medicare covers it when its national or local coverage criteria are met.
How many units of J0688 can be billed per day?
16 on DME suppliers; 16 on outpatient hospital claims; 16 on practitioner claims (NCCI medically unlikely edits).
Related J06 codes
- J0600 — Injection, edetate calcium disodium, up to 1000 mg
- J0601 — Sevelamer carbonate (renvela or therapeutically equivalent), oral, 20 mg (for esrd on dialysis)
- J0602 — Sevelamer carbonate (renvela or therapeutically equivalent), oral, powder, 20 mg (for esrd on dialysis)
- J0603 — Sevelamer hydrochloride (renagel or therapeutically equivalent), oral, 20 mg (for esrd on dialysis)
- J0604 — Cinacalcet, oral, 1 mg, (for esrd on dialysis)
- J0605 — Sucroferric oxyhydroxide, oral, 5 mg (for esrd on dialysis)
- J0606 — Injection, etelcalcetide, 0.1 mg
- J0607 — Lanthanum carbonate, oral, 5 mg (for esrd on dialysis)
- J0608 — Lanthanum carbonate, oral, powder, 5 mg, not therapeutically equivalent to j0607 (for esrd on dialysis)
- J0609 — Ferric citrate, oral, 3 mg ferric iron, (for esrd on dialysis)
- J0610 — Injection, calcium gluconate (fresenius kabi), per 10 ml
- J0611 — Injection, calcium gluconate (wg critical care), per 10 ml
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 J0688
- Watch J0688 for fee, coverage and descriptor changes
- Build a full Medicare revenue model for J0688
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.