J2185 HCPCS code: Injection, meropenem, 100 mg
J2185 is the HCPCS Level II code for injection, meropenem, 100 mg. In 2024 Medicare paid an average of $0.29 per service for J2185 across 268,997 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 60 per day on outpatient hospital claims. Medicare volume fell 8% from 2022 to 2024 (290,877 to 268,997 services). In 2024, about 309 clinicians billed Medicare for J2185 for 969 beneficiaries; Florida, Texas, Colorado accounted for 76% 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 | 2004-01-01 |
| Last action effective | 2004-01-01 |
Who bills J2185 (2024)
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Clinicians billing (by place of service) | 309 |
| Medicare beneficiaries | 969 |
| States with claims | 10 |
| Share of services in top 3 states (Florida, Texas, Colorado) | 76% |
Counts only. Supplier and clinician names, contact lists and state-by-state detail are in Caduvo.
Medicare utilization for J2185, 2022–2024
| Year | Services | Beneficiaries | Avg. allowed | Avg. paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 290,877 | 953 | $0.70 | $0.56 |
| 2023 | 270,298 | 992 | $0.54 | $0.43 |
| 2024 | 268,997 | 969 | $0.37 | $0.29 |
States with the most J2185 services (2024)
| State | Services | Avg. paid |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | 101,550 | $0.29 |
| Texas | 63,292 | $0.29 |
| Colorado | 27,180 | $0.28 |
| Georgia | 24,327 | $0.29 |
| New Jersey | 13,071 | $0.30 |
NCCI unit limits (MUE)
| Claim type | Max units per day | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| outpatient hospital claims | 60 | Prescribing Information |
| practitioner claims | 60 | Prescribing Information |
What changed for J2185
- 2004-01-01: J2185 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 J2185?
J2185 is the HCPCS Level II code for injection, meropenem, 100 mg. Short descriptor: "Meropenem".
How much does Medicare pay for J2185?
In 2024, the average Medicare payment was $0.29 per service (average allowed $0.37).
Does Medicare cover J2185?
Coverage code C — Carrier judgment. Coverage is decided by the Medicare contractor (MAC) case by case.
How many units of J2185 can be billed per day?
60 on outpatient hospital claims; 60 on practitioner claims (NCCI medically unlikely edits).
Related J21 codes
- J2150 — Injection, mannitol, 25% in 50 ml
- J2151 — Injection, mannitol, 250 mg
- J2170 — Injection, mecasermin, 1 mg
- J2175 — Injection, meperidine hydrochloride, per 100 mg
- J2180 — Injection, meperidine and promethazine hcl, up to 50 mg
- J2182 — Injection, mepolizumab, 1 mg
- J2183 — Injection, meropenem (wg critical care), not therapeutically equivalent to j2185, 100 mg
- J2184 — Injection, meropenem (b. braun), not therapeutically equivalent to j2185, 100 mg
- J2186 — Injection, meropenem and vaborbactam, 10mg/10mg (20mg)
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Next steps
- Run a reimbursement report for a device billed under J2185
- Watch J2185 for fee, coverage and descriptor changes
- Build a full Medicare revenue model for J2185
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.