J1738 HCPCS code: Injection, meloxicam, 1 mg
J1738 is the HCPCS Level II code for injection, meloxicam, 1 mg. In 2023 Medicare paid an average of $2.26 per service for J1738 across 3,630 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 30 per day on outpatient hospital claims. Medicare volume fell 91% from 2022 to 2023 (38,393 to 3,630 services). In 2023, about 13 clinicians billed Medicare for J1738 for 113 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 | 2020-10-01 |
| Last action effective | 2024-01-01 |
Who bills J1738 (2023)
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Clinicians billing (by place of service) | 13 |
| Medicare beneficiaries | 113 |
| States with claims | 4 |
Counts only. Supplier and clinician names, contact lists and state-by-state detail are in Caduvo.
Medicare utilization for J1738, 2022–2023
| Year | Services | Beneficiaries | Avg. allowed | Avg. paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 38,393 | 1,024 | $2.93 | $2.33 |
| 2023 | 3,630 | 113 | $2.84 | $2.26 |
States with the most J1738 services (2023)
| State | Services | Avg. paid |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | 1,380 | $2.30 |
| Texas | 1,200 | $2.37 |
| California | 630 | $2.36 |
| Arkansas | 360 | $1.57 |
NCCI unit limits (MUE)
| Claim type | Max units per day | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| outpatient hospital claims | 30 | Prescribing Information |
| practitioner claims | 30 | Prescribing Information |
What changed for J1738
- 2020-10-01: J1738 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 J1738?
J1738 is the HCPCS Level II code for injection, meloxicam, 1 mg. Short descriptor: "Inj. meloxicam 1 mg".
How much does Medicare pay for J1738?
In 2023, the average Medicare payment was $2.26 per service (average allowed $2.84).
Does Medicare cover J1738?
Coverage code C — Carrier judgment. Coverage is decided by the Medicare contractor (MAC) case by case.
How many units of J1738 can be billed per day?
30 on outpatient hospital claims; 30 on practitioner claims (NCCI medically unlikely edits).
Related J17 codes
- J1700 — Injection, hydrocortisone acetate, up to 25 mg
- J1710 — Injection, hydrocortisone sodium phosphate, up to 50 mg
- J1720 — Injection, hydrocortisone sodium succinate, up to 100 mg
- J1725 — Injection, hydroxyprogesterone caproate, 1 mg
- J1726 — Injection, hydroxyprogesterone caproate, (makena), 10 mg
- J1729 — Injection, hydroxyprogesterone caproate, not otherwise specified, 10 mg
- J1730 — Injection, diazoxide, up to 300 mg
- J1740 — Injection, ibandronate sodium, 1 mg
- J1741 — Injection, ibuprofen, 100 mg
- J1742 — Injection, ibutilide fumarate, 1 mg
- J1743 — Injection, idursulfase, 1 mg
- J1744 — Injection, icatibant, 1 mg
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 J1738
- Watch J1738 for fee, coverage and descriptor changes
- Build a full Medicare revenue model for J1738
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.