J1610 HCPCS code: Injection, glucagon hydrochloride, per 1 mg
J1610 is the HCPCS Level II code for injection, glucagon hydrochloride, per 1 mg. In 2024 Medicare paid an average of $146.60 per service for J1610 across 5,813 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 3 per day on outpatient hospital claims. Medicare volume fell 38% from 2022 to 2024 (9,399 to 5,813 services). In 2024, about 489 clinicians billed Medicare for J1610 for 4,307 beneficiaries; Florida, Arizona, New York accounted for 83% of services.
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 | 1986-01-01 |
| Last action effective | 1997-01-01 |
Who bills J1610 (2024)
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Clinicians billing (by place of service) | 489 |
| Medicare beneficiaries | 4,307 |
| States with claims | 19 |
| Share of services in top 3 states (Florida, Arizona, New York) | 83% |
Counts only. Supplier and clinician names, contact lists and state-by-state detail are in Caduvo.
Medicare utilization for J1610, 2022–2024
| Year | Services | Beneficiaries | Avg. allowed | Avg. paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 9,399 | 7,309 | $165.52 | $130.72 |
| 2023 | 7,315 | 5,590 | $182.17 | $144.81 |
| 2024 | 5,813 | 4,307 | $184.99 | $146.60 |
States with the most J1610 services (2024)
| State | Services | Avg. paid |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | 3,923 | $147.50 |
| Arizona | 441 | $145.35 |
| New York | 351 | $147.95 |
| Texas | 209 | $143.49 |
| California | 201 | $146.13 |
NCCI unit limits (MUE)
| Claim type | Max units per day | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| outpatient hospital claims | 3 | Clinical: Data |
| practitioner claims | 2 | Prescribing Information |
What changed for J1610
- 1986-01-01: J1610 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 J1610?
J1610 is the HCPCS Level II code for injection, glucagon hydrochloride, per 1 mg. Short descriptor: "Glucagon hydrochloride/1 mg".
How much does Medicare pay for J1610?
In 2024, the average Medicare payment was $146.60 per service (average allowed $184.99).
Does Medicare cover J1610?
Coverage code D — Special coverage instructions apply. Medicare covers it when its national or local coverage criteria are met.
How many units of J1610 can be billed per day?
3 on outpatient hospital claims; 2 on practitioner claims (NCCI medically unlikely edits).
Related J16 codes
- J1600 — Injection, gold sodium thiomalate, up to 50 mg
- J1602 — Injection, golimumab, 1 mg, for intravenous use
- J1611 — Injection, glucagon hydrochloride (fresenius kabi), not therapeutically equivalent to j1610, per 1 mg
- J1612 — Injection, glucagon (gvoke), 0.01 mg
- J1620 — Injection, gonadorelin hydrochloride, per 100 mcg
- J1626 — Injection, granisetron hydrochloride, 100 mcg
- J1627 — Injection, granisetron, extended-release, 0.1 mg
- J1628 — Injection, guselkumab, 1 mg
- J1630 — Injection, haloperidol, up to 5 mg
- J1631 — Injection, haloperidol decanoate, per 50 mg
- J1632 — Injection, brexanolone, 1 mg
- J1640 — Injection, hemin, 1 mg
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Next steps
- Run a reimbursement report for a device billed under J1610
- Watch J1610 for fee, coverage and descriptor changes
- Build a full Medicare revenue model for J1610
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.