J0888 HCPCS code: Injection, epoetin beta, 1 microgram, (for non esrd use)
J0888 is the HCPCS Level II code for injection, epoetin beta, 1 microgram, (for non esrd use). In 2024 Medicare paid an average of $0.99 per service for J0888 across 10,959 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 360 per day on outpatient hospital claims. Medicare volume fell 4% from 2022 to 2024 (11,395 to 10,959 services). In 2024, about 12 clinicians billed Medicare for J0888 for 25 beneficiaries.
Code details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Section | J codes — Drugs administered other than oral method |
| Coverage code | D — Special coverage instructions apply |
| Pricing indicator | 57 |
| BETOS category | O1E — Other drugs |
| Added | 2015-01-01 |
| Last action effective | 2024-01-01 |
Who bills J0888 (2024)
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Clinicians billing (by place of service) | 12 |
| Medicare beneficiaries | 25 |
| States with claims | 1 |
Counts only. Supplier and clinician names, contact lists and state-by-state detail are in Caduvo.
Medicare utilization for J0888, 2022–2024
| Year | Services | Beneficiaries | Avg. allowed | Avg. paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 11,395 | 36 | $1.53 | $1.13 |
| 2023 | 8,689 | 29 | $1.63 | $1.25 |
| 2024 | 10,959 | 25 | $1.28 | $0.99 |
States with the most J0888 services (2024)
| State | Services | Avg. paid |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | 10,755 | $0.99 |
NCCI unit limits (MUE)
| Claim type | Max units per day | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| outpatient hospital claims | 360 | Prescribing Information |
| practitioner claims | 360 | Prescribing Information |
Medicare policy articles for this code
- A56795: Billing and Coding: Erythropoiesis Stimulating Agents (ESAs) (WPS Insurance Corporation (MAC - Part A, MAC - Part B))
- A58982: Billing and Coding: Erythropoiesis Stimulating Agents (Palmetto GBA (MAC - Part A, MAC - Part B))
- A58982: Billing and Coding: Erythropoiesis Stimulating Agents (Palmetto GBA (MAC - Part A, MAC - Part B))
- A60381: Billing and Coding: Erythropoiesis Stimulating Agents (Wellpoint Federal (MAC - Part A, MAC - Part B))
Covered diagnoses (1,385 ICD-10-CM codes)
The diagnoses most often listed as covered in the policy articles above:
| ICD-10-CM | Diagnosis | Articles listing it |
|---|---|---|
| B20 | Human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] disease | 3 |
| B97.35 | Human immunodeficiency virus, type 2 [HIV 2] as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere | 3 |
| D46.0 | Refractory anemia without ring sideroblasts, so stated | 3 |
| D46.1 | Refractory anemia with ring sideroblasts | 3 |
| D46.20 | Refractory anemia with excess of blasts, unspecified | 3 |
| D46.21 | Refractory anemia with excess of blasts 1 | 3 |
| D46.22 | Refractory anemia with excess of blasts 2 | 3 |
| D46.A | Refractory cytopenia with multilineage dysplasia | 3 |
| D46.B | Refractory cytopenia with multilineage dysplasia and ring sideroblasts | 3 |
| D46.C | Myelodysplastic syndrome with isolated del(5q) chromosomal abnormality | 3 |
Showing 10 of 1,385. The full list, non-covered diagnoses and CSV export are in Caduvo.
What changed for J0888
- 2015-01-01: J0888 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 J0888?
J0888 is the HCPCS Level II code for injection, epoetin beta, 1 microgram, (for non esrd use). Short descriptor: "Epoetin beta non esrd".
How much does Medicare pay for J0888?
In 2024, the average Medicare payment was $0.99 per service (average allowed $1.28).
Does Medicare cover J0888?
Coverage code D — Special coverage instructions apply. Medicare covers it when its national or local coverage criteria are met.
Which diagnoses support coverage for J0888?
Medicare policy articles that cite J0888 list 1,385 covered ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes across 4 articles. The most cited include B20 (Human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] disease), B97.35 (Human immunodeficiency virus, type 2 [HIV 2] as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere), D46.0 (Refractory anemia without ring sideroblasts, so stated). A listed diagnosis is necessary but not sufficient; the policy's other criteria still apply.
How many units of J0888 can be billed per day?
360 on outpatient hospital claims; 360 on practitioner claims (NCCI medically unlikely edits).
Related J08 codes
- J0800 — Injection, corticotropin, up to 40 units
- J0801 — Injection, corticotropin (acthar gel), up to 40 units
- J0802 — Injection, corticotropin (ani), up to 40 units
- J0833 — Injection, cosyntropin, not otherwise specified, 0.25 mg
- J0834 — Injection, cosyntropin, 0.25 mg
- J0840 — Injection, crotalidae polyvalent immune fab (ovine), up to 1 gram
- J0841 — Injection, crotalidae immune f(ab')2 (equine), 120 mg
- J0850 — Injection, cytomegalovirus immune globulin intravenous (human), per vial
- J0870 — Injection, imetelstat, 1 mg
- J0872 — Injection, daptomycin (xellia), unrefrigerated, not therapeutically equivalent to j0878 or j0873, 1 mg
- J0873 — Injection, daptomycin (xellia), not therapeutically equivalent to j0878 or j0872, 1 mg
- J0874 — Injection, daptomycin (baxter), not therapeutically equivalent to j0878, 1 mg
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Next steps
- Run a reimbursement report for a device billed under J0888
- Watch J0888 for fee, coverage and descriptor changes
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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.