J2550 HCPCS code: Injection, promethazine hcl, up to 50 mg
J2550 is the HCPCS Level II code for injection, promethazine hcl, up to 50 mg. In 2024 Medicare paid an average of $2.37 per service for J2550 across 20,725 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 (33,195 to 20,725 services). In 2024, about 8,339 clinicians billed Medicare for J2550 for 12,196 beneficiaries; Texas, California, North Carolina accounted for 26% 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 | 1982-01-01 |
| Last action effective | 1997-01-01 |
Who bills J2550 (2024)
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Clinicians billing (by place of service) | 8,339 |
| Medicare beneficiaries | 12,196 |
| States with claims | 44 |
| Share of services in top 3 states (Texas, California, North Carolina) | 26% |
Counts only. Supplier and clinician names, contact lists and state-by-state detail are in Caduvo.
Medicare utilization for J2550, 2022–2024
| Year | Services | Beneficiaries | Avg. allowed | Avg. paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 33,195 | 17,475 | $2.52 | $1.88 |
| 2023 | 25,805 | 14,752 | $3.04 | $2.26 |
| 2024 | 20,725 | 12,196 | $3.20 | $2.37 |
States with the most J2550 services (2024)
| State | Services | Avg. paid |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | 2,260 | $2.37 |
| California | 1,607 | $2.49 |
| North Carolina | 1,500 | $2.43 |
| Tennessee | 1,437 | $2.40 |
| Alabama | 1,295 | $2.29 |
NCCI unit limits (MUE)
| Claim type | Max units per day | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| outpatient hospital claims | 3 | Prescribing Information |
| practitioner claims | 3 | Prescribing Information |
What changed for J2550
- 1982-01-01: J2550 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 J2550?
J2550 is the HCPCS Level II code for injection, promethazine hcl, up to 50 mg. Short descriptor: "Promethazine hcl injection".
How much does Medicare pay for J2550?
In 2024, the average Medicare payment was $2.37 per service (average allowed $3.20).
Does Medicare cover J2550?
Coverage code D — Special coverage instructions apply. Medicare covers it when its national or local coverage criteria are met.
How many units of J2550 can be billed per day?
3 on outpatient hospital claims; 3 on practitioner claims (NCCI medically unlikely edits).
Related J25 codes
- J2501 — Injection, paricalcitol, 1 mcg
- J2502 — Injection, pasireotide long acting, 1 mg
- J2503 — Injection, pegaptanib sodium, 0.3 mg
- J2504 — Injection, pegademase bovine, 25 iu
- J2505 — Injection, pegfilgrastim, 6 mg
- J2506 — Injection, pegfilgrastim, excludes biosimilar, 0.5 mg
- J2507 — Injection, pegloticase, 1 mg
- J2508 — Injection, pegunigalsidase alfa-iwxj, 1 mg
- J2510 — Injection, penicillin g procaine, aqueous, up to 600,000 units
- J2513 — Injection, pentastarch, 10% solution, 100 ml
- J2515 — Injection, pentobarbital sodium, per 50 mg
- J2516 — Injection, pentamidine isethionate, 1 mg
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Next steps
- Run a reimbursement report for a device billed under J2550
- Watch J2550 for fee, coverage and descriptor changes
- Build a full Medicare revenue model for J2550
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.